Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 105, April 2018 | Page 45

ADVERTORIAL
Were you at these Great Races?
The race calendar is full 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.
DELOITTE PRETORIA MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10KM
When: Sunday 25 February
Where: Pretoria High School Old Boys Club, Hofmeyr Park, Lynnwood, Pretoria, Gauteng North
T
he 45th Deloitte Pretoria event saw a huge increase of more than 1100 runners in the
record size of the half marathon, with an accompanying slight increase in the 10km as
well, while the marathon had exactly the same number of finishers as 2017. Another
highlight of the half marathon was a World Single-age Record by Deirdre Larkin, whose 2:38:15
is the fastest ever by an 86-year-old woman. In total there were just over 10,000 finishers.
The marathon is two laps of the half marathon course, with many historic Pretoria landmarks
dotted along the route as runners tour the capital city. The first runner to complete two laps
was veteran Graham Malinga (Corobrick) in 2:26:31, while another notable top 10 marathon
finisher was Olympian Stephen Mokoka (seventh in 2:37:09). The women’s title went to
Comrades champ Charné Bosman (Nedbank) in 2:56:46. The half marathon titles were
claimed by Lucky Mohale (Boxer, 1:09:04) and Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank, 1:19:29), while the
10km race was won by Gladwin Mzazi (Boxer, 30:25), with Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) claiming
the women’s race in 35:35.
RECORDS SET IN
CAPITAL
CAPE GATE VAAL MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 5KM
When: Sunday 4 March
Where: Dick Fourie Stadium, Three Rivers, Vereeniging, Vaal Triangle
WARM WELCOME!
B
eing run for the 44th time, the long-standing Vaal Marathon saw around 5000 athletes
enjoy the wonderful weather and even warmer family atmosphere of this smoothly run
event. The local community came out in numbers to support the runners, with lots
of kids joining their parents for the home straight run-in, and the pancake ladies once again
prov ing a huge hit with all the peckish runners and supporters at the finish.
The Vaal is a gently meandering two-lapper through Vereeniging, including a scenic section
along the banks of the Vaal River. First official finisher in the marathon was Handsome Siwela
(Run Zone) in 2:35:56, with Jacqueline Maritz (Klerksdorp) being adjudged the women’s winner
in 3:21:36. In the single-lap half marathon, Pita Makhoali (Lekoa) took the win in 1:10:29, while
Nedbank’s Comrades gold medallist Gerda Steyn celebrated her birthday in style with a first
place, coming home in 1:19:18. The 10km titles went to Mohau Malise (Sasolburg, 33:13) and
Makoma Batji (RW4L, 39:40).
Birthday girl Gerda Steyn
EXCITEMENT IN
EDENVALE
PHARMATON EDENVALE MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 4KM
When: Sunday 11 March
Where: Edenvale High School, Linksfield Road, Edenvale, Central Gauteng
B
esides new sponsor Pharmaton coming on board, a highlight of the 29th Edenvale
Marathon was women’s marathon winner Cobie Smith (Vitality) crossing the line in 2:59:20,
narrowly missing Frith van der Merwe’s course record of 2003 by just 18 seconds, and
making her only the second woman in the history of the race to duck under three hours. Ahead
of her, the first man home was Thando Ngcobo (Bedfordview) in 2:31:31. His clubmate Donald
Mashamaite was first home in the half marathon, with the women’s race won by Leigh Privett of
Planet Fitness Modern Athlete in 1:34:40.
After all the event costs are covered, organising club Edenvale Rand Road Warriors presents all
the proceeds to three worthy causes, including donations to the Harmelia Gardens Air Scouts,
who worked tirelessly at the event, as well as to local underprivileged running clubs that support
the event. However, the bulk of the funds go to the Kidney Beanz Trust, the official race charity,
for its work to help children with life-threatening kidney disease. The event attracted around
6000 entrants, with Gauteng Premier David Makhura not only acting as official starter of the half
marathon, but also running it himself.
Full results for the Cape Gate Vaal and Pharmaton Edenvale events are available at www.championchip.co.za.
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