Makhanya, Phalula twins rivalry set to play out again
Renowned runners in for Sunday’s Diepkloof race
Mapaseka Makhanya is among prominent runners who will run the Diepkloof Half Marathon on Sunday (6am).
The 21km race – which includes the 10km (start at 6.30am) and 5km (7am) contests – will start and finish at the Nike Football Centre in Pimville, Soweto.
Makhanya, who represented SA in the 42km at the IAAF World Championships in London two months ago, will continue her longtime rivalry with the Phalula twins – Lebo and Lebogang.
“Mapaseka and the Phalulas are just some of the big names who have entered. But generally, the interest in the race is very overwhelming. People are now voting with their feet because they did pre-entries,” said Ishmael Modutoane, the chairman of Diepkloof Athlet- ics Club, who are the hosts of Sunday’s race.
Modutoane said about 2 500 athletes were expected at the start, and the organisers will keep registration open until race day, starting at 4.30am.
With a number of athletes having been penalised this year for violating licence rules, the Diepkloof race will also enforce Athletics SA and Central Gauteng Athletics race rules.
Licensed athletes are required to wear their club colours, and their 2017 licence numbers should be at the back and front of their vests.
Temporary licences will be sold on race day.
The first man and woman home will pocket R1 200; runners-up R900 and third to come through R600.