Sikhumbuzo, Phiwokuhle shine in 215th parkrun
MBABANE – The pair of Phiwokuhle Bulunga and Sikhumbuzo Sihlongongonyane were winners of the 215th edition of the Mbabane parkrun.
The parkrun started and finished at The Albert Millin yesterday. Sihlongonyane was the overall winner beating 58 runners who participated in the weekly 5km timed run. He clocked 17:20 minutes while ladies winner, 14-year-old Bulunga, who came 13 overall clocked 22:44 minutes. Coming second overall was James T Matse on a time of 18:39 minutes while Ntando Mthimkhulu completed the top three brackets on 18:41 minutes.
In the ladies category Swazi Slojos’ Nokuphiwa Zwane came second after crossing the finish line in 22:57 minutes. Sihlongonyane said the parkrun played a huge role in keeping fit. “The parkrun also helps me to build and improve my speed. The parkrun also helps one to keep the momentum going and make you relevant as a competitive runner,” he said.
He said running in general beside the healthy benefit can help one get jobs. “I have seen
Devin Bauermeister: “I enjoy the parkrun and it is nice to get out on a Saturday morning. My target is to improve my time and keep fit and healthy. I also made friendshisp here, it’s all fun. My target time wise was to maintain a finish under 20 minutes, I am not competing but I want to maintain my time or do better.”
Mkhulisi Ndzingane: “It is not my first time, I have been a regular here despite that at some point, I had to relocate because of jobs. I am happy that now I stay around and I attend often. The parkrun helps me gain many runners like Nkululeko Gama, Melusi Khumalo, who have been hired because of their talent. I was inspired by them and I am happy now that I am competing with them. The newspaper also helps build an athlete’s profile especially if
PARKRUNNERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE:
momentum, to be used running and have confidence. It also helps me keep fit and healthy.”
Bandzile Mkhonta: “I am not a first-timer here. I have made partaking in the parkrun a lifestyle. I also want to thank my parents for supporting me as I am an active athlete, and coming here also helps me to do better in the school athletics as I normal get position one. I will invite everyone to come here, it’s fun and it also helps one to get fit and healthy.” Phiwokuhle Bulunga: “I am a scholar at Cedusizi Primary and I you always inside the top three,” he said.
Meanwhile there were a number of runners who celebrated milestones and one of them is Devin Bauermeister. He completed his 100 run in 23:33 minutes. He was position 16 overall. enjoy running at school. When I am not running at school, I think the best place to be active is the parkrun every Saturday. The parkrun comes in handy for preparing us for major races in the country.”
Ntando Mthimkhulu: “The parkrun helps me to train mentally and physically. I swear if you are doing the parkrun you surely will not visit the doctor. As a TZD active athlete, I want to improve my 5km time from 20 minutes to 16 or 17 minutes.” Nokuphiwa Zwane: “The race was not tough as I trained the whole week. I should say
There were eight runners who set new personal best times. Some of them are Siyamthanda Dlamini, who set a new time of 28:47 minutes from 01:02:32 hours while Thembisile Gama also improved from 50:13 to 33 minutes.
running on the pavement made it hard as we are used to running on the trails. My target time is to at least finish the race under 20 minutes.” Siyamthanda Dlamini: “The race was okay and I enjoyed myself. I always look forward to Saturdays so I can do my best. I was happy to set a new personal best of 28:47minutes today and I am positive I can do better.” Sakhelwe Zwane: “The race was good and not difficult, it just needed one to be fit. My target here is to have fun and keep fit and healthy.”