Wins and record at Bruintjies

It was another great weekend of running for Grahamstown athletes. This time it was the turn of the road runners who took part in the 40th annual Bruintjieshoogte Marathon in Somerset East.

Athletes could choose between the 50km, 25km, 15km and a 5km fun run.

Three local runners took part in the 50km ultra marathon from Pearson to Somerset East. Thembinkosi Mdyogolo, running for Port Elizabeth-based Nedbank Running Club, was first of the locals in 4 hours 2 minutes. He was also sixth in the 45 to 49 age category.

Mzwabantu Nesi of Grahamstown-based Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club was next in, clocking 4:40:29. Zwelethemba Yaka of Albany Saints and Sinners Multi Sport Club finished fifth in the 50 to 54 age category in 5:50:42.

In was in the 25km and 15km races that Grahamstown athletes shone.

Lubabalo Bokuva, Melikhaya Jacobs and Basie Bonaparte (Albany) and Rikhotso Rooi (Nedbank), all made the top 10. In what was probably the most impressive overall performance of the day, Bonaparte finished seventh overall, winning the 50 to 59 age category in a new race record time of 1:37:58, beating top Eastern Province masters runner, Desmond Zibi by over five minutes.

Bonaparte used the race as part of his Two Oceans training. He will be running his 10th Two Oceans Half-Marathon (21km) this year.

Bokuva finished fourth overall in 1:33:22, followed by Jacobs in 1:37:40 who was also third in the 35 to 39 category. Rooi finished ninth in 1:41:33. Terri-Lynn Penney (Run/Walk For Life) was over- all women’s race winner in a time of 1:53:42, also winning the 35 to 39 age category. Penney, who used the 25km as part of her Two Oceans training, will be running her 13th Two Oceans Ultra (56km) this year. Noncedo Reme-Mnandi and Muthumuni Managa (Rhodes) finished together in 2:30:38.

In the 15km event, Masixole Xayiya was overall race winner in a time of 55:14. Xayiya was the winner of the Makana Brick 8km fun run in Grahamstown earlier this month.

Devernito du Plessis (Albany) finished fourth overall in 1:02:07.

Rhodes Athletics club members, Thina Maqubela and Nosiphiwo Ngqwala finished in 1:44:55 and 1:59:32 respectively. A number of the athletes used the various Bruintjieshoogte races as part of their Two Oceans Ultra and half-marathon training.