Mayoral Road Race attracts over 2 000 athletes

The city’s seventh annual Mayoral Road Race held on Saturday was a huge success with over 2 000 entries received.
The starting point was the old Peter Mokaba Stadium from where the more serious athletes negotiated their way on a circle route over 10 and 21,1 km back to the stadium. There was also a fun run/walk over 5 km. After finishing their respective distances, athletes participated in aerobics sessions and all participants received medals and T-shirts. Polokwane Executive Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng was impressed with the turnout and said the healthy lifestyle in Limpopo was improving.
She stated that the race was not about the number of participants but to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly to stay fit. Nkadimeng emphasised that youngsters and old people should take part in such initiatives. She participated in the 5 km fun run while expressing her ambition to take part in 10 km next year.
The race attracted the likes of Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela and Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba. Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo and Executive Mayor’s Personal Assistant Leiselle Pragji who also participated in 5 km fun run.
In the 21,1 km race for men, Precious Mashele in the colours of Olifants Athletic Club won in a time of 64:06, followed by Desmond Mokgobu and Lucky Mohale in third place. In women’s 21,1 km distance, Mamarolla Tjoka, running for Nedbank Athletics Club, made her opponents eat dust as she finished first in a time of 77:55, followed by Rutendo Nyadora and Portia Ngwenya.
In the men’s 10 km race, Reghen Magwai from Born to Run finished first in 30:28 followed by Givemore Mudzinganyama and Tlou Peu. The first woman home was KPMG runner Thobile Vilakazi in a time of 38:07. Catherine Skosana was second and Glenda Ramashia third.
Mashele said he had started the race at the back and made his move at the 15 km mark. He further said at the last 500 m he left his opponents to finish first. “The Mayoral Road Race was a preparation run for the South African Half-Marathon Championships that will be held in Port Elizabeth on 29 July. I am aiming for the first position and I am confident that I will outcompete my opponents,” he stated.

Results:
21,1 km
Men
Open
Precious Mashele – 64:06.
Desmond Mokgobu – 64:12.
Lucky Mohale – 64:41.
Veterans
Richard Mavuso – 67:13.
Moses Njuguma – 69:29.
Cooboy Ngamole – 70:16.
Masters
Nel Mtsweni – 78:13.
Lazarus Seroka – 79:06.
Reckson Nemukula – 79:27.
Grandmasters
Simon Makweya – 86:17.
Stephen Seema – 89:25.
Thompson Mbombi – 93:05.
Great grandmasters
Johannes Phoo – 97:09.
Johannes Mosehla – 99:37.
Pele Tshidukudamalema – 1:48:42.
Juniors
Sakhile Dhladhla – 68:44.
Phenyo Chidi – 68:57.
Aubrey Kgomo – 72:32.
Walkers
Tebatso Mashimbyi – 1:44:06.
Tumisang Pule – 1:44:59.
John Sibanda – 2:28:00.
21,1 km
Women
Open
Mamarolla Tjoka – 77:55.
Rutendo Nyahora – 77:59.
Portia Ngwenya – 79:12.
Veterans
Tabitha Tsatsa – 85:36.
Anna Maponya – 94:22.
Linah Mhlongo – 95:32.
Masters
Jane Mudau – 94:45.
Sarah Mahlangu – 1:42:02.
Catherine Naane – 1:42:29.
Grandmasters
Adel Matloka – 2:01:54.
Selinah Netsisaulu – 2:07:47.
Margaret Boshoe – 2:16:53.
Juniors
Lesego Mpshe – 80:48.
Violet Mulaudzi – 1:55:25.
Walkers
Phillipain Kalane – 2:45:25.
10 km
Men
Open
Reghen Magwai – 30:28.
Givemore Mudzinganyama – 30:33.
Tlou Peu – 30:44.
Veterans
Enoch Skosana – 34:12.
Phillimon Manyaka – 34:39.
Bethuel Netshitenzhe – 35:06.
Masters
Thomas Ngobeni – 38:55.
Israel Madibana – 39:28.
Theo Sekete – 43:09.
Grandmasters
David Kubjana – 42:11.
Bobby Sacco – 43:36.
Elias Maponya – 47:17.
Great grandmasters
Garth Owens – 73:56.
Hoosain – 79:32.
Johan Stears – 84:00.
Juniors
Tumi Lephoto – 33:21.
Mashilo Manamela – 35:24.
Titus Komane – 36:55.
Walkers
Dannyboy Sehemo – 53:07.
Emmanuel Mukondeleli – 58:05.
Thabiso Mashapu – 58:12.
10 km
Women
Open
Thobile Vilakazi – 38:07.
Catherine Skosana – 38:41.
Glenda Ramashia – 40:04.
Veterans
Sarah-Jane Kumalo – 44:35.
Patience Nkosi – 46:20.
Betty Mashitisho – 56:13.
Masters
Carmen Schoeman – 48:15.
Meriam Gafana – 52:50.
Amelia Haupt – 53:43.
Grandmasters
Jeanie Owens – 71:02.
Elsie Moletjie – 83:10.
Great grandmasters
Stephina Modiba – 73:50.
Eliza Klopper – 81:05.
Annetjie van Wyk – 82:00.
Juniors
Thobile Vilakazi – 38:07.
Tshunelo Maruping – 43:47.
Ngoako Motanyane – 47:18.
Walkers
Whitney Matseba – 63:08.
Joelanda du Plessis – 72:35.
Koketso Thoala – 76:58.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za