A FIELD of nearly 1 000 athletes, from serious to fun runners, took on the challenge of Die Burger Rafi’s Builders Warehouse Friendly City Marathon on Saturday, September 15, in trying weather conditions.
Strong winds made the return run an extra challenge for most of the participants.
In the men’s category, Gift Chigomarawa (30) of Nedbank Running Club sprinted to the finish in 2:35.16 at Fountain Vineyard Church fields.
“It was a tough run with the strong winds,” Chigomarawa admitted.
Andre Ketchem of Xcel Athletics Club was second in 2:37:01, with Charles Segalo of Charlo Athletics Club in third place for the second consecutive year in 2:47:01.
In the women’s race, Kelly van Vliet of Up and Running Club finished with a strong lead in trying conditions in a time of 3:18:02, followed by Nokholo Hlezupondo, of SANDF Athletics Club in 3:36:29.
Julie Andrew of Charlo Athletics Club came in third position in a time of 3:45:26.
“I felt like giving up at the 28km mark, but dug deep for strength to carry on against the wind,” said Van Vliet.
The newly introduced and well-supported 21.1km race was won by Sibusiso Thu of SAPS Athletics Club in 1:15:39, followed by two members of Nedbank Running Club, George Ntshiliza in second in 1:19:51 and Anele Maliza in third position in 1:19:55.
Up and Running Club’s Kerrin Watson-Smith was the first woman home in the 21.1km race in a time of 1:35:45.
She was followed by two members of Nedbank Running Club, Margie Saunders in second position in 1:39:16, and Davera Magson in third position in 1:40:37.
In the men’s 10km event, Adriaan Gerwel of Ikhamva Athletics Club finished first in a strong time of 32:40, followed by Xolisa Ndlumbini, of Vukani Running Club, in second position in a time of 33:27, followed by Brendan Effenaar of Nedbank Running Club in third position in 34:28.
Both the first and second women to finish the 10km were competing for the St Albans Athletics Club.
Adri Wessels came first in 42:02, followed by Kayla Nell in 43:53.
Olwethu Bomvana of Motherwell Athletics Club came third in 48:45.
President of the organising club, Achilles, Bob Stedman, awarded R11 600 in cash category prizes.
The event ended with two popular lucky draws where over R40 000 in prizes sponsored by Rafi’s Appliances and Mattresses, Builders Warehouse and Adidas were won, supported by a large crowd on the grounds of Fountain Vineyard Church.
Special prizes included the best watering point, which was won by Atlas Security for the superb vibe, and an acknowledgement to Retina SA who received R24 000 via the Friendly City Marathon’s fundraising platform.
