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GREAT RACES THAT WE RAN
Modern Athlete is partnered with some terrific events each year, including these great road races that took place in early 2017. Hope you were able to be part of the running action.
DIS-CHEM DELIGHT
Dis-Chem Half Marathon & Centrum 5km Dash When: Sunday 15 January Where: Bedfordview, Johannesburg, Central Gauteng
At the beginning of each year, the suburb of Bedfordview plays host to one of Gauteng’ s premier road races and a traditional early running year‘ kick-starter’ for many. Once again the Dis- Chem attracted a sold-out field of 7000 athletes. Some people say that Bedfordview is a runner’ s dream, thanks to its hilly but leafy and picturesque streets, which is part of what brings the runners back year on year.
At the front of the field, Thabang Mosiako claimed the men’ s title in a time of 1:05:53, just outsprinting Lucky Mohale of the Boxer Club, but controversy kicked in when Lucky was disqualified for not wearing his licence and race numbers correctly. The women’ s title went to KPMG’ s Christine Kalmer in 1:22:50.
Meanwhile, for many athletes in the rest of the field, the focus was on getting to the finish of this hilly race, but they had perfect running conditions plus plenty of local support as people lined the route to cheer them on. Then there was race commentator Alistair Cronk to welcome them home as medals, cold drinks and finish line photographs awaited, and with plenty to eat and drink on sale, it was time to put the feet up while tucking into a well-deserved post-run snack.
THE BEST OF BENONI
Johnson Crane Hire Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km When: Sunday 29 January Where: Sahara Park Willowmoore, Benoni, Central Gauteng
Being run for the 35 th time in 2017, this iconic event once again attracted a massive field of just under 10,000 athletes to take on its four undulating race distances through the suburbs of Benoni. The Johnson Crane Hire Marathon is immensely popular amongst Gauteng runners as a qualifier and training run for the Comrades and Two Oceans ultras, and the race also boasts the longest running sponsorship of any major race in South Africa.
Scorchingly hot conditions made sure the athletes kept a careful tab on their race hydration, but up front it was racing business as usual as Lucky Mohale of Boxer AC cleaned up in the half marathon, clocking 1:06:00 for the win. The highly competitive women’ s race was won by Patience Murowe in a time of 1:18:05. However, the highlight of the day was once again the marathon, with well known veteran Johannes Kekana taking the lead at the 32km mark and holding on for the win in 2:24:33. First home amongst the women was Enie Manzini, clocking 3:01:25.
Images: Aurelia Masino, Roxanne Martin & Courtesy Organisers
56 ISSUE 92 MARCH 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za