One of the most competitive races run over the weekend - The Legends Ultra marathon over 68 km - went to NRC’s foreign athletes Mike Fokoroni (ZIM) and Jennifer Koech (KEN).
This ultra, boasting huge prize money, is run from Bhisho to East London and attracts many of SA’s top roadrunners. NRC’s Mike Fokoroni broke the tape in the men’s race in a time of 4:08:34 while teammate Jennifer Koech claimed top spot in the women’s race in a time of 4:57:10. On top of this the NRC women claimed 5 spots in the top ten women.
Two more podium positions in the half marathon also belonged to NRC athletes with Mabuthile Lebopo from Lesotho finishing third overall in 1:05:32 and first Veteran. In the women’s race Lesotho’s Mokulubete Makatisi clinched second position in 1:19:39.
More great results followed at the Diepkloof Half Marathon and 10km in Gauteng, with many athletes using this race as a build up to the all important and competitive Soweto Marathon, which will be run in the first week of November. Ntsindiso Mphakathi finished second in the 10km (31:26) with team mate Welma Nkuna delivering a brilliant performance as 1st lady overall (42:02) and 1st Junior. Teammate Andronica Mokgotla took the half marathon honors in 1:29.
In another big race in Gauteng North, the CSIR Half Marathon & 10km – also used by many as a sharpener for the early November marathons, Veteran and Kenyan athlete Moses Njuguna took the Veterans win in 71:23. Veteran teammate Micah Kipyego from Kenya finished second in the 10km event in 34:01.
RESULTS
LEGENDS ULTRAMARATHON 68KM, HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, EAST LONDON, 21 OCTOBER
Ultra Marathon
MEN
Open
1. Mike Fokoroni (NRC/ZIM) 4:08:34
WOMEN
Open
1. Jennifer Koech (NRC/KEN) 4:57:10
3. Monica Kativhu (NRC/ZIM) 5:42:56
6. Precious Duma (NRC) 6:22:45 ?
7. Buyelwa Kobekana (NRC) 6:36:53 ?
8. Thembela Van der Berg (NRC) 6:38:13 ?
Veterans
2. Precious Duma (NRC) 6:22:45 ??
Masters
2. Buyelwa Kobekana (NRC) 6:36:53 ?
Half Marathon
MEN
Open
3. Mabuthile Lebopo (NRC/LES) 1:05:32 (1st Vet)
4. Lungile Gongqa (NRC) 1:06:03 ?
WOMEN
Open
2. Mokulubete Makatisi (NRC/LES) 1:19:39
ARD 3 VLEI RACE, GRASSY PARK, CAPE TOWN, 21 OCTOBER
MEN
Veterans
1. Vakalisa Kopolo (NRC) 32:59
Masters
1. Andrew Cooper (NRC) 36:23
WOMEN
Veterans
2. Busisiwe Matiwane (NRC) 42:14
3. Sharon Sunderland (NRC) 42:18
Masters
1. Obertina Kanyongo (NRC/ZIM) 41:25
Grandmasters
1. Olga Howard (NRC) 43:49
ULUNDI HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, ULUNDI, 21 OCTOBER
Half Marathon
WOMEN
Open
4. Winile Mnisi (NRC) 1:33:48
35-39
2. Nonkululeko Mbambo (NRC) 1:51:11
40-49
2. Hleziphi Ncayiyana (NRC) 1:51:48
50-59
1. Mary Mwelase (NRC) 1:46:19
Open Women’s team prize
Xolisile Mwelase (NRC) 1:46:19
Nonkululeko Mbambo (NRC) 1:51:11
Hleziphi Ncayiyana (NRC) 1:51:48
MEN
Open
4. Bonginkosi Mavuso (NRC) 1:08:15
10 km
MEN
Open
2. Sibusiso Kubeka (NRC) 30:54
4. Phakamani Kunene (NRC) 31:06
5. Sipho Hlatshwayo (NRC) 31:23 ??
WOMEN
Open
1. Loveness Madziva (NRC) 36:10
3. Zama Mokoena (NRC) 38:30
Juniors
1. Sebenele Shabalala (NRC) 38:40
WHITE CANE CHARITY RUN 10 KM, PORT ELIZABETH, 20 OCTOBER
MEN
Open ?
5. Anele Maliza (NRC) 33:46 (1st Vet) ??
8. Brendon Effenaar (NRC) 34:41 ?
40-44
1. Anele Maliza (NRC) 33:46 ??
3. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 35:44 ?
45-49?
3. Adriaan Gouws (NRC) 36:55 ?
50-54
?1. Sithembiso Yozo (NRC) 37:11
60-64
1. Nelson Mgubasi (NRC) 45:26 ?
65-69
2. Eddie Eades (NRC) 44:31 ?
Juniors
2. Anele Voorman (NRC) 35:30 ??
WOMEN
Open
5. Priscilla Dyantyi (NRC) 44:52 (1st Vet) ??
40-44
1. Priscilla Dyantyi (NRC) 44:52 ?
CSIR HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, PRETORIA, 20 OCTOBER
Half Marathon
MEN?
Veterans
1. Moses Njuguna (NRC/KEN) 71:23
Great Grandmasters
1. Pele Tshikundumalema (NRC) 1:49:55
WOMEN
Masters
1. Ansa Strydom (NRC) 1:50:49
10 km
MEN
Veterans
2. Micah Kipyego (NRC/KEN) 34:01
MEIRINGSPOORT LIVE LIFE RUN HALF MARATHON & 12.5 KM, MEIRINGSPOORT TO DE RUST, 13 OCTOBER
Half Marathon
MEN
1. Lloyd Bosman (NRC) 1:03:51 ?
2. Godwin Heyns (NRC) 1:09:10 ?
3. John April (NRC) 1:09:11 ??
Masters
1. Lindile Tokota (NRC) 1:14:15 ??
3. Friedl van der Merwe (NRC) 1:23:44 ?
WOMEN
Open
1. Melissa van Rensburg (NRC) 1:22:05 ?
Grandmasters
1. Annatjie Botes (NRC) 1:35:33
Juniors ?
2. Nolene van Rensburg (NRC) 2:00:57 ??
12.5 km
MEN
Open
1. Donovan Jantjies (NRC) 41:13
2. Luther Blaauw (NRC) 41:51 ?
3. Anderson Ncube (NRC) 42:08 ?
WOMEN
Open
2. Anastatia Plaatjies (NRC) 50:32 ?
3. Candice van Beulen (NRC) 51:40 ?
DIEPKLOOF HALF MARATHON & 10KM, DIEPKLOOF, 21 OCTOBER
10km
MEN
Open
2. Ntsindiso Mphakathi (NRC) 31:26
WOMEN
Open
1. Welma Nkuna (NRC) 42:02 (1st Junior)
Half Marathon
MEN
Open
5. Kutlwisiso Sidinile (NRC) 1:14
WOMEN
Open
1. Andronica Mokgotla (NRC) 1:29