Sunday's Bonitas City2City Marathon has been hailed a huge success, bringing two cities together and proving the Highveld has what it takes in the big race stakes.
The much anticipated race, which extended entry deadlines due to popular demand, brought together over 7000 runners of all ages and races, with more than 2000 runners competing in the 50km ultra marathon this year. The ultra marathon began at the Centurion Gautrain Station in Pretoria, taking runners along a tough hill course designed to test their mental and physical endurance, all the way to the finishing post at James and Ethel Gray Park in Johannesburg.
The race prides itself on its cultural and historical vibrancy and just as in the old days when gold diggers travelled to the City of Gold to find their fortune, it attracted professional athletes from all over the country. Claiming his title as this year's winner of the ultra marathon was Odwa Tunyiswa from King Williamstown, competing for the Nedbank Running club in Johannesburg.
Odwa beat the odds and other well known names, clocking in at 02:50:36. But the person most surprised with his win seemed to be Odwa himself, as he told journalists after the race he had entered to try running an ultra marathon for the first time!
Taking second place was Elias Mabane from Bidvest in a time of 02:52:19, followed by Bongumuba Mthembu from Mr Price in third clocking 02:56:27. The first woman in was Lizih Chokore from Nedbank. She completed the course in 03:26:56, beating Samukeliso Moyo (03:31:22) and last year's winner Riana van Niekerk.
One of the reasons for the increased interest in this year's race seemed to be the re-launched route and re-branding, with top SA running teams participating including Toyota, Nedbank and F1 Bluff Meats among others. Apart from the hardened ultra marathon runners the event also attracts those with less lofty aims of completing the 50kms. The event was humming with people of all ages, shapes and sizes joining in to put their fitness to the test.
The 21.1 race was just as exciting. Papi Mazibuko from the Toyota club claimed victory in the men's 21.1km race coming in at a time of 1:06:25, just nine seconds ahead of Cornelius Lasat in second place. Mr Price's Thabitha Tsatsa was the first woman home in 1:21:11, with Jogi Moss from Temple clocking 1:35:02
In the 10km ADT's Desmond Mokgubu shot home in 30:36 with Nedbank Running Club`s Frik Guys hot on his heels in a time of 30:56. Lebogang Pahlula from Gauteng Striders claimed first place among the women, completing the course in 36:38. Linah Mhlongo from the ANMAR club's second place win was doubly sweet as she was also the first woman in the 40+ category home in a time of 42:19.
But the race isn't just about the tough competition and (hopefully) the runners' high. One of the reasons Bonitas Medical Fund is the title sponsor of the event is because it is aligned with the Fund's values of getting South Africans up off their couches and onto the roads in order to lead healthier lifestyles.
A seasoned marathon sponsor, Bonitas Medical Fund's wealth of experience in road running (which includes being one of the key sponsors of the Comrades Marathon) along with Premiere Sport Management, ensured that the event ran smoothly from the start gun to the finishing tape.
Says acting CEO of Bonitas Marketing, Peta Smuts, "What we also loved about the Bonitas City2City is that it really was three races in one. We had the excitement and drama of an ultra marathon being run by top class athletes from here and abroad. Then we had the 21.1km half marathon, also for serious runners. And of course, we had the 10km road race with a strong family fun element to it. There was such a wonderful atmosphere at yesterday's race marked by a great sense of camaraderie – it really does pull the two cities together!"
Ex-Comrades champion and race director Nick Bester commended local residents for coming out to support the runners