Mabhongo, Mfunzi easy race victors

ZOLANI Mabhongo (Ikhamva AC) and Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (Nedbank AC) were crowned the men’s and women’s EPA 10km champions at the Despatch SUPERSPAR 10km race on Saturday.

Both won their categories at a canter, although Mabhongo’s time of 30:38 was nearly a minute slower than last year’s winner Amos Nyongo (Ikhamva), who finished in 29:45.

Mfunzi’s time of 37:22 was nearly two minutes better than the winning time of Asanda Solani last year.

The women’s champion was using the race to finetune her preparations for Sunday’s lucrative Cape Town City marathon.

“While I am satisfied with my time, it was not the ideal preparation,” Mfunzi said.

“No one was pushing and I ran unchallenged.

“I am looking forward to Sunday because running in Cape Town is like running at home.

“Whatever my time [on Sunday] it will be better than my 2:49.

“I did just three marathons before moving up to the ultras.”

Although she is not one of the invited athletes, Mfunzi will be seeded.

“I am grateful to Nedbank, who will be footing by bill for the trip to Cape Town,” Mfunzi said.

All participants in the sixth annual race organised by the Despatch Athletic Club received medals in the form of mini brick with the town’s historical chimney imprinted on it.

The small brick is made from genuine clay and baked exactly like a normal brick.

It will be the first in a series that the organisers will use over the next few years.

Results:

Senior men: Zolani Mabhongo (Ikhamva) 30:38, Luyanda Tshangana (Ikhamva) 31:54, Rodney Prins (Nedbank) 32:26 Senior women: Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (Nedbank) 37:22, Luthando Nxanisa (Madibaz) 41:44, Davera Magson (Achilles) 43:29. Junior men: Sinethemba Mirele (Saps EP) 33:50, Xabiso Kobe (Tinarha) 34:25, Siphosethu Schout (Saps EC), 36:30. Junior women: Siphokazi Liwani (Motherwell) 44:37, Anja Webber (St Albans) 45:13, Natasha Magaga (Motherwell) 47:41.

THERE was an excellent turnout at the weekly Hobie Beach parkrun, with more than 700 participants showing up in excellent weather.

The recently established Jeffreys Bay parkrun had its best turnout yet.

Results:

Hobie Beach Men: Lebohang Senti 17:34 Women: Lea de Villiers 20:24 Sardinia Bay Men: Tcharle Banda 22:41 Women: Lisa Mason 26:17. Lady Slipper Men: Haydn Grener 25:07 WomenL Riana Louw 28:23 Jeffreys Bay Gideon Williams 20:39 Women: Deoni-Lizel van Niekerk 22:13