Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 104, March 2018 | Page 49

ADVERTORIAL
Were you at these Great Races?
The race calendar is jam-packed this time of year, and Modern Athlete is partnered with a number
of these terrific events. Hope you were able to join us there.
RUNNING REUNION
IN BENONI
36 TH JOHNSON CRANE HIRE MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10KM
When: Sunday 28 January
Where: Willowmoore Park, Harpur Avenue, Benoni, Central Gauteng
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he Johnson Crane once again brought a massive field of close to 12,000 runners to
the roads of Benoni, with Puleng Maeko (Rocky Road Runners) taking the marathon
win in 2:20:16, and Charne Bosman (Nedbank) claiming the women’s title in 2:54:59.
In spite of the high numbers, the organisers pulled off another great race.
A bit further back in the field, well-known Gauteng ultra-runner Hazel Moller enjoyed
a remarkable reunion during the race. “About 7km in a guy calls my name, and I didn’t
recognize him at first, but he was in my University of Natal chemical engineering class, and
we hadn’t seen each other in close to 15 years! I was ecstatic to see him and we decided
to run the race together. Then 2km later, I hear my name again. Wait for it… Another friend
from that same class of roughly 30 students, who I hadn’t seen in about 14 years! The three
of us ran about 10km together until Dion slowed down, while Renier and I finished together.
What a freaky, wonderful experience!”
MODERN ATHLETE BOBBIES HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 5KM
When: Sunday 4 February
Where: Greenstone Shopping Centre, Edenvale, Johannesburg, Central Gauteng
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his race has been a wee bit on the wet side in previous years, thanks to heavy rain,
but this year the weather was fantastic once the sun came up to warm things up,
says Derryn Short. “It was a chilly line up at the Bobbies start, with a few runners
exchanging war stories about how quickly marathon season had snuck up on us!”
She adds that the route throws some challenges at runners, and requires some strategic
pacing. “It’s easy to get carried away on this route, with a few extremely fast sections, and
you’ll surely pay later at the sharp climbs, somewhat strategically placed to give you enough of
a challenge to get your lungs burning. But that’s why this race is a highly recommended course
to benchmark your level of fitness, and I think should be on every runner’s ‘to do’ list.”
Up front, the Half Marathon titles went to Dan Don Ndlovu (Run Zone) in 1:09:44 and Liziwe
Mabona (AMPA AC) in 1:25:15.
THE PICK OF THE
BUNCH
NOT SO BRRRR AT
BOBBIES
PICK N PAY MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 8KM & 4KM
When: Sunday 11 February
Where: Saheti School, Senderwood, Johannesburg, Central Gauteng
T
his ever popular event sold out quickly and that saw just under 10,000 entrants take on the
challenging undulating course, as seen in the marathon times. The men’s winner, Rofhiwa
Mathidi (Nedbank Running) came home in 2:28:55, while women’s winner Yolande
Maclean (KPMG) clocked in at 2:56:11. Behind them, many of the runners made the most of the
brilliant organisation to enjoy a memorable running outing.
Pranisha Rama: “Such an amazingly organised race, still one of my favourites. Thanks to all the
volunteers and everyone involved. You all did a great job!”
Warren Mackenzie: “Thanks, Pick n Pay! Great water spots and awesome marshals. I had a jol!”
Nomvula Bebeza: “Thank you, Pick n Pay. Well organised and a good route... see you again next
year.”
Hazel Moller: “Boy, were Jeppe on the ball. The water points were amazing and the vibe
spectacular. Always a fantastic morning, a real party on the streets of Bedfordview.”
Full results of all these events are available at www.championchip.co.za.
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