It was a day filled with records as hundreds of athletes were welcomed in Langebaan for the annual Weskus Marathon.
This year the marathon celebrated its coming of age with 4 000 participants entering the 42,2 km, 21,1 km, 10 km and 5 km races.
The full marathon received 1 242 entries – a record for this distance which snaked through the Weskus National Park, an unique feature of the race.
Lloyd Bosman from the Nedbank Running Club SWD won the marathon race in a new event record time of 2:21:28.
This represents an average pace of 3 minutes and 21 seconds per km on a fairly difficult course. Danette Walley of Marry & Roberts Club WP won the women’s marathon race in 3:11:44.
Saturday offered perfect weather conditions for long distance running with a foggy morning and the few showers along the route contributed to the enjoyment of the runners. That could also be seen with the excellent finishing times of the winners of the other races according to the organisers.
The 21,1 km race was won by At Sengce (1:08:54) from Athletics Academy Boland, with local hero Lorenzo Pieters (1:15:18) from Langebaan Athletics Club in fifth place overall. Zintle Xiniwe (1:29:06) from Nedbank Running Club WP won the woman’s race in the half marathon.
Athletes from the Nedbank Running Club WP dominated the races, with Sibusiso Madikizela of the club winning the 10 km race in 32:07. Fifteen-year-old Divano Fallet of the Langebaan Athletics Club took third place, in 34:50. The women’s 10 km race was won by Pamela Moyikwa of Khayelitsha AC with local junior Deaniah McDonald, also from Langebaan AC, fourth in 47:28.
Deaniah is only aged 15, which means she may continue her performances and soon take first place in the race in years to come.
“After yet another successful marathon event, the organisers thank each person and entity who contributed to this event,” said Louis van der Walt of the organising team.
“A word of thanks especially to Craig Scott and the Langebaan Country Estate for providing all their facilities and human resources.” This year’s prize monies, R65 000 in total, were sponsored by event partner Tronox.
More photos on pg. 23
