It was a sterling performance by the Nedbank running club green dream team when they took to the streets of Johannesburg for the FNB Joburg 10km, pulling off a win in a new course record in the men’s race, and dominating the podium in the women’s race.
Run over a tough course and at altitude, Nedbank running club Kenya’s Alfred Ngeno who had finished 4th earlier this year in the Fnb Cape Town 12km immediately showed his intention by shooting out to the front of the field when the gun was fired. With him were a host of other international athletes as well as South African Elroy Galant who was surprising many being upfront given his recent marathon exploits where he ran an Olympic qualifying time.
Pushed all the way to the line by countryman Kevin Kibet, Ngeno crossed the line with his arms raised high in a new course record of 29:16. Ngeno now joins Namakhoe Nkhasi and Thabang Mosiako as previous Nedbank running club winners of the event. In the womens race, a battle upfront was on between Nedbank RC teammates from two different Countries, Tadu Nare (Ethiopia) and Mary Ekiru (Kenya) who went out hard. It was Ekiru’s first race outside Kenya and she wanted to prove a point.
Nare, who has become a well-known face on the South African road running circuit now, put in a big surge shortly after 8km and the move proved to be decisive as she took victory in 33:53, 12 seconds ahead of Ekiru with Comrades Marathon star Gerda Steyn flying through for 3rd in 34:31 to complete a Nedbank running club podium clean sweep.
This was a very promising run by Steyn who is deep in training for the New York City Marathon, running nearly half a minute quicker yesterday over last years event. “I really enjoyed todays race and was very happy with my time,” said Steyn who now heads to Afriski in Lesotho to finish off her training camp for New York. “What made it really special was knowing that only a few days ago, these streets were a no-go-zone because of unrest in the area but today it was the most vibrant and uplifting spot in the entire city!.”
FNB Joburg 10km
MEN
1. Alfred Ngeno (Nedbank RC Ken) 29:16
6. Namakhoe Nkhasi (Nedbank RC Les) 30:20
7. Joel Mmone (Nedbank RC) 30:33
8. Bernard Bii (Nedbank RC Ken) 30:38
9. Brandon Lentswe (Nedbank RC) 30:41
WOMEN
1. Tadu Nare (Nedbank RC Eth) 33:53
2. Mary Ekiru (Nedbank RC Ken) 34:05
3. Gerda Steyn (Nedbank RC) 34:31
7. Nobukhosi Tshuma (Nedbank RC) 37:41
8. Patience Murowe (Nedbank RC Zim) 38:24
Amajuba Marathon, Half Marathon & 10 km
Marathon
WOMEN
1. Phezile Shabangu (Nedbank RC) 3:40:17
Half marathon
MEN
1. Bongumusa Mavuso (Nedbank RC) 1:12:09
WOMEN
2. Beatrice Hlope (Nedbank RC) 1:45:17
10 km
MEN
1. Sipho Hlatswayo (Nedbank RC) 33:18
WOMEN
3. Sinenhlanhla Zwane (Nedbank RC) 59:31
Sunninghill Food Lover's Market 2-in-1 (1st)
MEN
1. Godfrey Mothapo (Nedbank RC) 34:43
G’masters:
1. Ian Fuller (Nedbank RC) 56:38
Ndongeni Heritage 15 km
MEN
2. Mholi Jali (Nedbank RC) 47:51
Lester Mills Memorial 10 km
MEN
Veterans:
1. Peter Medupe (Nedbank RC) 33:35
George Herald Run with the Stars 10 km
MEN
2. John April (Nedbank RC) 32:11
3. Godwin Heyns (Nedbank RC) 32:45
G’masters:
2. Willem Lubbe (Nedbank RC) 51:57
G/g'masters:
1. Whayn Rider (Nedbank RC) 1:10:03
WOMEN
1. Melissa van Rensburg (Nedbank RC) 38:05
2. Candice van Beulen (Nedbank RC) 42:58
Masters:
1. Sharon Losper (Nedbank RC) 48:41
2. Annelise Naude (Nedbank RC) 55:39
G’masters:
1. Sandra du Toit (Nedbank RC) 1:06:00
G/g'masters:
1. Annemarie van Eck (Nedbank RC) 1:19:39
Juniors:
1. Candice van Beulen (Nedbank RC) 42:58
Karkloof 50 miler
MEN
1. Eric Ngubane (Nedbabnk RC) 6:58