On the morning of 12 February, a group of long distance runners from Welkom joined the record number of runners from all over South Africa, and even bordering countries, to run the gruelling aQuellé Jo’burg North City Marathon.
This event has been approved as a qualifier for both Comrades 2023 and Two Oceans 2023 marathons.
”This year’s record turnout is a positive sign that the running events are getting back to normal,” says Nkhetheni Masupa, a founder member of the Welkom Runners.
Five Welkom Runners took part.
Masupa ended in 18th position overall. He started the race 11 minutes late. Mbangiso Malindi ended 185th, Brian Ntsodi ended 610th, Morena Mphojane ended 695th, and Ncedo Mbobo ended 574th in the 21 km.
“Nationally and locally there are very few running events without Welkom Runners in attendance,” says Masupa.
The club had representatives at both the Kloppers and Klerksdorp marathons.
Training has now begun for the upcoming Kosmos 3-in-1 marathon on 4 March.
“We will be running 73,3 km in total, comprising 42 km at 06:00, 21 km at 13:00, and then 10 km at 17:00. A feast of running indeed.”
There are currently 33 Welkom Runners preparing for the Two Oceans, while 58 of the club’s members are in training for the Comrades.
