December 16 has been one of significance in SA and since 1994 embraced as a celebration which Chillie Runners have turned into one of running activity for all.
On Monday the second running of the Reconciliation Day 16km Race takes place out and back at the Phillip Kahtz Softball Stadium in Bunker Hill.
In 2023 Yanga Malusi, then still in the colours of Real Gijimas, won the race in a close finish with Luyolo Ngcongolo of Powered Up Runners, their times being 51:20 and 51:25 respectively.
With Malusi now living and running in Cape Town, it might well be expected that the heir apparent would be Ngcongolo, but there are other contenders, including Real Gijimas’ latest signing, Cwenga Nose, who won the FLYA Festival 15km recently.
His winning time was 47:39, which could be translated into 50:45 for 16km.
In that race Ngcongolo was third behind Habtamu Mishamo of Nedbank, also a contender to succeed Malusi.
If all three men run on Monday we may have an answer, though it is more likely that the first two months of 2025 will provide such.
The women’s race last year was won comfortably by Cindy Nel of Easy Equities Born2Run in 71:20 and on current form is certainly a favourite to both retain her title and set a new course record.
It is that time of year when many will have taken a back seat preparing to race again in races of choice, not least of which will be the Surfers Challenge on February 22.
The two January 10km races, The Laser 10 and PWC 10, along with the Bridle Drift 21km, come much earlier and could give brutally honest reports of form, while the leading Border standard marathon, the Buffs, is under pressure having been moved to the same weekend as Surfers.
There are a number of rail runs taking place around the province to keep interest alive amid all the year-end celebrations, so interest is unlikely to wane completely.
Monday morning’s race starts at 6am.
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