The Heroes 15km road race, which was run in Qonce on Saturday, showed a marked increase in the size of the field, while also attracting runners of a competitive calibre.
Luyolo Ngcongolo, of Powered Up Runners, won the men’s race in a time of 48:53, while Cindy Nel, of Easy Equities Born2Run, took the women’s title in 65:30.
Ngcongolo had serious competition from Malixole Kalideni (Old Selbornians) and Sinethemba Jilingisi (Haven Hills), who chased him all the way. Kalideni finished in 49:29 and Jilingisi in 50:01.
The men’s open race may have been impressive, but the junior men showed up even more, with six of them in the overall top 13, close to 50% of the finishing field at that juncture.
First in was Endinako Mpondo, of organising club Buffalo Runners AC (Brac), in 52:47, with the Real Gijimas duo of Lilitha Xenge and Lizole Vara following in 52:55 and 54:08.
Thereafter came three young men from Brac in Gcinikhaya George (56:31), Philasonele Singcwala (56:53) and Sbonkinkosi Msoki (57:48).
The veteran 40-plus runners were sharper than their younger 35-plus counterparts through the efforts of Bulelani Mgubo (Overtakers), who was first in 54:08, Simphiwe Majiki (Hollywood), second in 56:46, and Sizakele Dayimani third in 56:52.
The younger age-group was won by Sifundo Sithole (Hollywood) in 59:30, followed by Malungisa Moyikwa (Khulani) in 61:45 and Unathi Nyiki (Brac) in 64:33.
In the 50-plus category, the race was won by Nedbank’s Siyabulela Madlavana in 62:40 from Chulumando Dlepu in 63:58 and Ratholo Matlala in 71:54, both from the Road Accident Fund AC.
Freeman Vutu (Vukani Multi Sport) had a good win in the 60-plus category in 70:21, with Colin Bosch (Old Selbornians) ever consistent in second place on 74:36, followed by Nkosana Mpolweni (Real Gijimas) in 78:46.
The women’s race had much wider margins in the results, with Nel winning by six minutes and seven seconds from the leader of the 35 category, Effe Mayo of Pumpkins, who, in turn, won her age category comfortably and was well ahead of third overall junior runner, Imange Norayase of Boxer in 75:09
The 40 veteran category saw another podium finish for Carmen Schaefer (Nedbank) in 79:59, with Nobuntu Fetsha (Khulani) second in 84:42 and Nicolette Lennox (Nedbank) following in 84:42.
Fundiswa Nxeve (Brac) won the 50 category in 87:33, with Nomava Mdingi (Correctional Services Border) second in 95:44 and Peggy Mtengwana (Overtakers) third in 96:39.
Meanwhile, the 60-plus women were again led home by Sharon Bosch (Old Selbornians) in 91:21, with Alison Langtree (Oxford Striders) in pursuit in 93:03 and Janice McKerry (Queenstown Harriers) third in 98:18.
Daily Dispatch
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