POLOKWANE – Most of the runners used the these races as preparation for the upcoming Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) 4-in-1 Race which is set to take place next week.
Athletes from Mzansi Athletics Club raked in the prizes with Dimakatso Mafona taking second place in the female veterans category on both days.
Simon Makweya was the first to the finish line in the male masters category and vowed to claim a podium position at the CDM 4-in-1 Race. He lives in Mmotong wa Perekese just outside Seshego and is known for running from Mmotong to the city for a race and then back again after. He told Review he sometimes even runs into the city to buy bread for breakfast as part of his training.
Aside from the cluster races, the annual Oasis Hotel 5-in-1 also gave athletes the opportunity to show off on Saturday in Mokopane where the Mzansi Athletics Club flag was flying high again when two of their female athletes claimed first and second position. “It came as a complete surprise for me, I did not expect to win the race. Thanks to my training partners and club members,” said Prudence Makhadzi Ndou, who won the 32 km race. Mzanzi Athletics Club’s Awelani Mathoni bagged the second place during the race. She thanked the club coach, Lufuno Mudau, for giving athletes great motivation and running with her throughout the race.
Prudence ran her first Comrades Marathon last year and plans to return for her back-to-back Comrades medal this year. Awelani plans to enter the Comrades Marathon for the first time this year.
“We expect her to perform well and come back with a medal as she already began training last year. She attends weekly training religiously as well as weekend long runs without fail. I also want to encourage all Limpopo-based athletics clubs come in their numbers to support the CDM 4-in-1 Race,” said Richard Bilisi Rambiyana, Mzansi Athletics Club Chairperson.
