DALESIDE – The air was filled with laughter and excitement as the Meyerton Athletics Club hosted the highly anticipated second annual MadMac Marathon at Café du Cirque on Saturday.
Runners of all ages participated in the 42.2km, 15km, and 5km races, transforming the serene Daleside into a colourful spectacle.
Pule Sibeko stole the show, crossing the finish line in an impressive 02:22:19, while South African Olympian Cian Oldknow showcased her endurance, clinching the ladies title in 02:43:38, finishing just shy of the top ten in 11th overall.
The excitement didn’t stop there! Tshepo Gavu sprinted to victory in the 15km race, clocking in at 00:48:28, while track star Simone Weitsz captured the ladies 15km title with a time of 01:01:11.
For the speedy sprinters, Dillan van Rooyen dominated the 5km race, finishing in a dazzling 16:46.
Junior athlete Megan Waller shone bright as she claimed victory in the ladies 5km, finishing strong at 19:05.
This year’s MadMac Marathon showcased a significant increase in participation since its inception in 2023.
According to race director Elzana Swanepoel this year’s race attracted a field of about 1 350 athletes.
Adding to the festive atmosphere the event attracted several running celebrities, including Oldknow, renowned blogger Stuart ‘The Running Mann’ Mann, Benoni’s Sean Lees, who made a splash in a vibrant pink suit to raise awareness for cancer, as well as famous marathoner Julian Karp who has nearly a thousand marathons under his belt.
According to Swanepoel the event brought the community together and also provided a much needed economic injection for Midvaal, since it attracted athletes from across the country and even abroad.
As the cheers echoed through Café du Cirque, it was clear that the MadMac Marathon is not just about the race; it’s a joyful celebration of community spirit, fitness, and a little bit of clowning around.
Athletes are already buzzing with anticipation for next year’s race!
