Ikhaya Athletics Club hosted a youth day trial run

The run was organised by the club to celebrate youth day.

June 27, 2021

Solly Maseko 2 minutes read

Ikhaya Athletics Club hosted a youth day trial run under the theme: ‘Youth took 1976 button on’ recently.

Club president and founder Nel Mtsweni said the trial run was held on Wednesday, June 16.

Young athletes from the local club and other young members from around the city and other places like Mloto Village took part in the run. They participated in the 5km and the 10 km run race. The run was organised by the club to celebrate youth day.

“It was a great success despite the fact that there was no sponsor after a sponsor pulled out in the last minute after making a promise that they will sponsor the run. But we never gave up or broke our spirit to forge ahead with the trial run planned for the day. It was run on the Ogies and eMalahleni R555 road. We followed all the rules and regulations on the Covid-19. We sanitized, washed our hands, kept social distancing and wear our masks as well as keeping to not more than 100 participants. We also had enough traffic officers, ambulances and marshals plus road demarcation items.

Mtsweni also indicated that they are blessed because the club is growing day by day and is organising events according to their plan to develop athletes irrespective of where they come from.

He also said some of the so-called big clubs are not active due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Ikhaya is making history by keeping the candle burning for athletics in Mpumalanga.

The results of the trial run were as follows: In the girls 5km run:

Renelwe Tladi in a time of 22:54 of Ikhaya was first, second was Smelta Djana (23:14), Nomfundo Thabede third (26:14) ‒ all three of Ikhaya Club. In the 10 km race Mandla Nkabinde (32:53) (KAA-Phola) was first, Jabu Mahlangu (33:42) (Ikhaya Club) was second, and Jedro Sithole (34:06) (KAA-Phola) was third. In the veteran section Samuel Motsepe was first (48:56), in the masters Sipho Hlumbane (37:45) (Ikhaya Club).

There were 63 participants in both the 5km and the 10 km races.

The next event planned by the club will be on September 24 on Heritage Day for both distances.