800 RUNNERS UNDETERRED BY THE COLD IN BORDER MASTERS HALF MARATHON
Cold and unseasonal conditions confronted close to 800 runners spread across 16 official age groups, split between male and female at the Border Masters Half Marathon at the weekend.
With numerous runners keeping their best efforts for the Jumbo Buffs Marathon on Sunday, others took advantage and raced to podium positions in their age categories.
The men’s sub-veteran 35-39 group was a case in point with Andile Stuli of Real Gijimas powering on to a win in 74:00 ahead of Nedbank’s Nkosinathi Nzingo 44 seconds adrift and Zwelonke’s Thulani Sidziya a close third in 74:58.
The 40-45 group of veterans was lead home by Sandile Tsholoba of Old Mutual in 80:30 from a highly rated Overtakers runner Xolile Mashicila second in 81:37.
Vincent Ntamo running for Trendsetters was new to the podium in third spot.
In the two Masters categories Easy Equities Born 2 Run’s Makaya Masumpa again won the 50-54 race in 83:41 from Old Mutual’s Mzoli Mpalala in 87:53 and in third Nyangiwe Sonwabo of R72 Smart Runners.
An impressive 85:28 saw Phillip Quvana of Born 2 Run continue his comeback to win the 55-59, followed by Real Gijimas runner Maxwell Mnyamanu and Simon Ngxeke.
Charl Pienaar of Old Selbornians held on to his 60-64 title from Born 2 Run’s Mark Hayne and United’s Raymond Lottering.
Names that have defined athletics and road running over the years came through in the 65 plus race where Sticks Stiglingh of Kowie Striders and Alan Robb of Germiston Callies mixed it up with locals Cyril Bekker and Fred Ferreira of Gonubie Harriers and Born 2 Run, respectively.
Activity was also prevalent in the 70-74 and 75 plus categories with Bennie Scholtz of Oxford Striders, Brian Beling and Jimmy Ainslie both of Gonubie Harriers, along with Jean Nepgen of Kowie Striders all prominent.
Hanlie Botha in 84:55 stood out with her performance winning the women’s 40-44 category, just a week after her Surfers triumph. Her Born 2 Run stable mate Michelle Conroy and Sherelle Smith of Oxford Striders made up the podium in second and third, respectively.
The younger 35-39 category fell to the very promising Sitha Sigena from Real Gijimas in 97:40. She beat off the attentions of Chantal Lombard of Oxford Striders and Marilene van Biljon of Eskom.
Carol Tinhof ran Old Selbornian colours into the number one spot in the 45-49 race with Mmempho GogolaSmith of Old Mutual in second and Liz Goosen of Born 2 Run third.
Debbie Gee of Oxford Striders, Sherae Kreusch from Born 2 Run and Janice McKerry of Queenstown Harriers secured the top three spots in the 50-54 contest.
Maureen Muhlenberg ran strongly to deliver the 55-59 title for Born 2 Run, followed by the Old Selbornian duo of Wendy Schroeder and Sharon Eldridge.
Ansie Bronkhorst and Eleanor Ragaval, both of Oxford Striders, led in the 60-64 race followed by Nedbank’s Esme Ehrke.
Another Old Selbornian one, two secured the 65-69 women’s race through the tried and tested combination of Beanie Beard and Michelle Whittington.