OVER 700 runners took to the streets of Motherwell in the 11th edition of the 10km Freedom Run.
Yanga Malusi of Real Gijimas stormed to the finish at the Raymond Mhlaba Sports Centre in a time of 29:31, slower than Melikaya Frans’s winning time last year of 28:39.
Ikhamva athlete, Cwenga Nose, followed closely in second position in 29:53.
Defending champion, Melikhaya Frans, finished third, in 30:29, with the outstanding sportsmanship he always displays, looking back and encouraging his young and promising 20-year-old teammate, Sinethemba Jilingisi, who finished fourth in 30:30. Keegan Cooke finished fifth in 30:36.
Ikhamva Athletics club dominated the finish with outstanding results, with three of the top five overall winning positions and age category firsts in the 35-39 category, Luyanda Tshangana (31:21), the 50-59 category, Desmond Zibi (32:37), and the women’s 50-59 age category with Michelle Howes (41:32).
Ikhamva athletics club coach and Freedom Run race organiser, Mike Mbambani, was thrilled with the results.
“Today was special, our 11th edition; we have so many young and promising athletes excelling in road running, so we can only build from here!
“All race arrangements went smoothly according to our plans, and we are going to grow the race.”
Kelly van Vliet of the Nedbank running club was the first woman home and finished in a time of 36:40. She was also first in her 35-39 age category. Van Vliet was very happy with her performance.
“I really enjoyed the race; it was well organised and the route was fast and fantastic,” said Van Vliet.
Nedbank teammate, Refeloe Solomons, was the second woman to finish, and first in her age category (40-49) in 38:00, closely followed by Kayla Nell of Charlo athletics club in third position in 38:06. Adri Wessels, of Run 4 Christ, finished fourth in 39:16, with Kaitlyn Wolff of Achilles fifth in 39:49, smashing her goal of finishing in under 40 minutes.
EPA President, Sticks Stiglingh, an experienced athlete himself, also participated in the 10km race and credited the growth in the junior athletes.
“The Freedom race is an excellent 10km route, one of the best to achieve your personal best time, and I am very happy with my time today of 45:48,” he added with a smile.
“I am thrilled with the performance of the junior runners today, and I must single out 15-year-old Thandolwet Matsalo of Kowie Striders, who finished in an outstanding time of 33:08, the fourth junior home.
“Thandolwet started in the Kowie Striders development group and built his strength from running on the farm roads and competing in the EPA Cross Country events. He then joined Ikhamva athletics club for coach management and training and his dedication is now starting to pay off!” added a proud Stiglingh.
MMC Bassie Kamana, responsible for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, showed his support to the athletes at the event.
“Road running has the potential to unite people of all races, ages and levels of fitness, in the township, and this is a remarkable goal,” added Kamana.
Age category winners:
. Thozamile Bolkolo of Madibaz athletics club, first in 60-69 age category in 41:01.
. Cathy Allers of Elite athletics club, first in women’s 60-69 age category in 52:50.
. Hannes Els of Madiba, first in the 70+ age category in 43:43.
. Liz Jenkerson, Muirite Strider, first in women’s 70+ age category in 58:29.
– ISSUED ON BEHALF OF LOC EPA
