MOKOPANE – The Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba addressed the athletes at Mokopane Primary School just before 06:00. Ramathuba explained that it’s time for everyone to change their lifestyle and eating habits in order to lead a healthy life. “South Africa is one of the countries with the highest statistics for overweight individuals, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and hypertension because people do not live healthy.”
According to Ramathuba the Limpopo Department of Health spends more than R85 million monthly on medication due to people’s unhealthy choices. “This money could have gone for education, to improve the roads and create jobs for those who are unemployed.
Last year I realised my health is my responsibility and I am the only one who can change my life and live healthier. I started with a 5 km walk and today I’m doing the 21 km. As the MEC for health, I am at the forefront of and should be an example for the people of Limpopo.”
Cheraye Engelbrecht, Chairperson of Potties Athletic Club, said they were overwhelmed by all the entries and support. The athletes participated in the 5 km fun run, the 10 km, 21 km, 32 km and the 42.2 km race. “The 42.2 km was also a qualifier marathon for the Two Oceans and the Comrades.
We had almost 700 entries. It is clear that this marathon is a prestigious marathon among athletes who want to qualify for the Two Oceans and Comrades or in preparation for these two marathons. We even had a marathon athlete from Spain, Ivan Penalba Lopez, who came third in the 42.2 km and qualified for the Comrades.”
Engelbrecht said the youngest entry was from a 5-year old, who ran the 5 km and the oldest athlete was 76-year old Johannes Mosehla from the Polokwane Athletic Club who ran the 32 km. “We were also blessed to have three pace setters on the 42.2 km marathon. George Mojela known as Rocky and his team entered the final stretch to the winning post first after 4 hours and twenty minutes, while the crowd cheered and encouraged the team. Ten minutes later Lucas Seleka and his team made their way through after 4 hours and thirty minutes on the road. The well-known pace setter Buks van Heerden and his team came in after 5 hours which was also the cut-off time to qualify for the Two Oceans and the Comrades.”
According to Engelbrecht, arranging the entire marathon required a lot of hard work. “I could not have done this on my own, I want to thank my team for their hard work and support. All the sponsors and the businesses that had water stands and everyone who helped to clean the streets afterwards.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
