MAXED Elite runner Spesihle Nene laced up his rocket shoes and ran at 3.91 minutes a kilometer to win the annual Tronox 42.2km race hosted by the uMhlathuze Athletics Club on Sunday morning at Addison Park.
Nene improved his time of last year on the tricky route that took athletes through hilly roads and outlying dirt roads through sugarcane fields outside Empangeni.
‘The route is never an easy one to run, but I am pleased with my performance and happy with my time of 2.45.50,’ said Nene.
More than 600 athletes descended on Addison Park to take on the 42.2km, 21.1km and 10km routes, as well as a 5km fun run.
Most entries were in the 10km race, where more than 200 athletes ranging from elite runners to couch potatoes entered.
Local club NRB Harriers dominated the podium in a number of events.
Thulani Mdletshe (1.10.25), Penelope Biyela (2.42.38) and Patrick Nkosi (31.42) won the 21.1km run, 21.1km walk and 10km run respectively.
But what is worth mentioning is that NRB Harriers took all three podium places in the women’s 21.1km walk.
Comrades Marathon silver medalist Melanie van Rooyen was the first lady home in the 21.1km run with a time of 1.30.11.
Zululand Multi Sports Club runner Izelle Geyser took top spot in the women’s marathon 42.2km run with a time of 3.41.46.
Results
42.2km
Men – 1 Spesihle Nene (Maxed Elite) 2.45.50, 2 Thembela Malundi (Nedbank Runners) 2.46.35, 3 Jabulani Dlomo (Nongoma Athletics Club) 2.48.00.
Women – 1 Izelle Geyser (Zululand Multi Sports Club) 3.41.46, 2 Phakamile Dube (SAP) 4.10.15, 3 Sebe Msimango (NRB Harriers) 4.21.47.
21.1km run
Men – 1 Thulani Mdletshe (NRB Harriers) 1.10.25, 2 Thulani Mbatha (Spar Chesterville) 1.11.51, 3 Lwazi Mpungose (NRB Harriers) 1.13.55.
Women – 1 Melanie van Rooyen (Richards Bay Athletics Club) 1.30.11, 2 Christa du Toit 1.50.07, 3 Sarie Pretorius (Zululand Multi Sports Club) 1.52.57.
21.1km walk
Men – No entries.
Women – 1 Penelope Biyela (NRB Harriers) 2.42.38, 2 Phindile Bulunga (NRB Harriers) 2.50.50, 3 Nombuso Sabelo (NRB Harriers) 2.53.22.
10km run
Men – 1 Patrick Nkosi (NRB Harriers) 31.42, 2 Halasane Mdletshe (Umfolozi Athletics Club) 32.00, 3 Xolani Mthinkulu 36.34.
Women – 1 Benzile Nhlenyana (Umfolozi Athletics Club) 42.51, 2 Musawenkosi Nsibande (Jozini Athletics Club) 44.03, 3 Sinothile Mthiyane (Umfolozi Athletics Club) 46.57.
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