Various long distance athletes of the Welkom Runners club took part in the 50 km-long N12 Ultra Marathon in the North West, starting from Potchefstroom and finishing in Klerksdorp, and the Lemo Mall Mangaung marathon in Bloemfontein.
There were many achievements among them as they brought honour back to the Goldfields community.
Nkhetheni Masupa finished the N12 ultramarathon in a blistering 3:06 and was placed in position one in his age category.
Another runner from Welkom, Johannes Matoli, successfully finished the Lemo Mall 21 km race, coming first in just 1:07.
Jonas Soke came third in the same marathon, in a time of 2:27. Moorosi Soke finished the Lemo Mall race’s 10 km category in third place, in 33 minutes.
Other Welkom runners who did well at the N12 ultramarathon are Diau Kabai (5:31), Nkhetheni Masupa (3:07), and Morapedi Leeuw (5:30).
Masupa says most long distance runners are using available and official running events as preparation for the major event on every running enthusiast’s calendar: the world-renowned Comrades Marathon.
This race will take place on Sunday, 9 June, and is scheduled to start at 05:30 and conclude at 17:30.
It is an up run, starting at the City Hall in Durban and finishing in Pietermaritzburg. The race distance is approximately 85,9 km, but is subject to change and will be confirmed in the final race instructions.
Some of the Welkom Runners members who ran the Miway Marathon in Centurion on Wednesday, 1 May, are Ejihah Mabitsela, Tshediso Letseleha, Desmond Sehloho, Rabelani Masupa, and Potlako Sekokotane.
Welkom’s own “Iron Lady” Nthabiseng Tinte of the Welkom Runners was one of the runners representing the Free State in her age group at the Durban International Marathon.
This marathon is billed as one of the fastest races in the country, with both men’s and women’s course records falling at this year’s event, held on Sunday, 28 April.
Tinte finished the 42,2km in 3:41.
She ended fifth overall in her category.
There were many achievements among them as they brought honour back to the Goldfields community.
