The circuit is 1km in length and has 20 turns. In addition to the 100 mile race, they also had 12 and 24 hour events. This is the first ever 50km night circuit race in South Africa.
The race was held in the undercover parking area at Highveld Mall on October 17 and 18 with the aim of raising funds to help children with extraordinary needs. All proceeds from this race go towards helping children.
“This year, despite the freezing wind, we saw quite a few race records broken,” said Derek Reilly, race organiser.
Johan van der Merwe from Pietersburg Road Runners in Limpopo, who is a multiple SA Record holder, won the 100 mile race (160.9km) in an incredible 15 hours and 55 minutes which is three hours and 14 minutes faster than the previous best.
Johan has won every 100 miler he has entered and holds the following 100 miler race records: Coaldust Dreams LoobiT 100 Mile eMalahleni 2014; Washie 100 Mile where he beat Manie Sayman’s 30-year standing record in East London in 2012 as well as Capital Classic 100 mile in Pietermaritzburg 2013.
Susan Hurter won in the ladies 100 mile category for the eighth year in a row. It was Susan’s 28th 100 mile race finish, and she has already set her goals on returning next year to break the record she shares with Bruce Fordyce of winning the race eight consecutive years as well.
The 24-hour event witnessed a team from Johannesburg, calling themselves ‘Born to Run’, clocking an incredible 260km in just less than 24 hours. This team comprising Christopher Ferguson, Chris Jansen, Kabelo Malepane and a speedster affectionately known as Bafana, were simply amazing to watch as they clocked up the kilometres on the way to setting up the course record.
Cherlene Jordaan from Coaldust Road Runners won the ladies 50km race in a very respectable time of four hours and 43 minutes.
Never Mahlangu from Bethal Marathon Club won the men’s 50km race in a time of three hours 53 minutes. Two relay teams comprising disabled athletes from Eskom Athletic Club put in heart warming performances and covered 84km per team, proving that sport can make a difference to the lives of everyone.
“The Coaldust Dreams Circuit Challenge will be back next year in October and we expect more records to be broken,” concluded Derek.
