Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 58, May 2014

Race Report Gem of the Lowveld Forever Resorts Loskop Marathon, Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 12 April A round 3200 athletes took on the ever-popular 50km, some still hoping to get in their qualifying times for Comrades or to improve their seeding batch. With 1500 entrants taking on the ﬁfth edition of the growing 21km run through the scenic Loskop Nature Reserve, the race also showcases the beauty of Middelburg’s winding hills. In the men’s 50km race, there was some controversy when Raymond Phaladi (Nedbank) came home ﬁrst but was subsequently disqualiﬁed when it emerged that he had used Comrades 2012 winner Ludwick Mamabolo’s race number without following the correct substitution Images: Lauren Van Der Vyver & Courtesy Forever Resorts As ultra-season began to peak last month, many up-country athletes ventured to the Mpumalanga Lowveld to take on the tough 50km Loskop Marathon, which sets many up for their Comrades journey come June, but with a growing half marathon plus fun run for the rhinos, Loskop caters for all. – BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER procedure, which therefore meant he was not actually entered in the race. That saw runner-up Zongamele Dyubeni of Nedbank ofﬁcially placed ﬁrst (and he also claimed the veteran category title) in a time of 2:50:22, a minute and a half after Phaladi’s winning time. Toyota’s Joseph Mputhi was second in 2:52:26, with Rufus Photo of Pietersburg Road Runners third over the line in 2:52:39. “Although we regret this unfortunate situation, it underlines the strict discipline and trustworthy systems we have implemented at the Forever Resorts Loskop Series,” said Christo Wagenaarof the organising committee member of the Marathon. WOMEN’S WAY The women’s race was won by Ethiopia’s Sisay Arsen (running for Nedbank) in 3:17:11, while pre-race favourites Yolande Maclean and Riana van Niekerk claimed second second and third respectively in 3:23:15 and 3:33:12. The half marathon titles went to Retsepile Khotle (SCAW) in 1:10:29 and Paulina Phaho (Transnet, also ﬁrst veteran) in 1:32:35. For the families and social runners taking part, the 4.9km Rhino Fun Run was also an initiative to raise proceeds for the Save the Rhino Fund, which helps promote conservation and anti-poaching. Obstacles CLEARED! IMPI Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 5 April THE NEXT EVENTS in the IMPI series take place on 27/28 September at Van Gaalens, Hartbeespoort in the North West, and then 18/19 October in the Cape (venue to be conﬁrmed). More info at www.impichallenge.co.za. Images: Cherie Vale/NewsportMedia Tensions were rife at the Lievland Wine Estate and Wiesenhof Legacy Park near Stellenbosch as the best of the best gathered to take on the much anticipated IMPI Cape Town, part of the obstacle course race series that is taking South Africa by storm. W long with smaller obstacles for the kiddies. In other words, there is something for everybody! 36 In the Elite race, IMPI Gauteng winners in March, Claude Eksteen and Carla Van Huyssteen, claimed victory in impressive times of 1:47:50 and 2:05:25 respectively. “Today was awesome! IMPI Cape Town is deﬁnitely tougher, features more steep climbs as well as a real trail run route. The obstacles are similar to IMPI Gauteng, but the terrain is much harder. This is by far the best obstacle race course ith four events across the country, entries in the thousands, up to 25 incredibly challenging obstacles to go over, under or through, and a fun vibe that includes prizes for the best-dressed teams, the IMPI Series combines trail running with an adventurestyle obstacle course and makes for one hell of a fun day out! While the elites take on a 20km course featuring 25 obstacles, the traditional IMPI Challenge is 12km long with 18 obstacles, the IMPI Dash over 7km offers 12 obstacles, and the IMPI Mini is just 1km ISSUE 58 MAY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za Winners Claude(left) & Carla. that I’ve done,” said a very happy Claude, who was followed in by Christiaan Greyling and Matthew Daneel. Carla was joined on the women’s podium by Chantel Nienaber and Dominique De Oliveira. After winning, she said, “Just when I thought I could take it easy, I’d catch a glimpse of Chantel behind me, and I had to keep pushing it, because she is a ﬁghter! The IMPI Cape Town features a hard run, but the obstacles are doable and a lot of fun.”

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 58, May 2014 | Page 36