Cape Town is known for its scenic races, with ocean and mountain views all around, but the Landmarks Half Marathon offers something more – a running tour that takes in some of the most famous landmarks of the Mother City.
LANDMARKS HALF MARATHON AND 6KM, CAPE TOWN, WESTERN PROVINCE, 15 NOVEMBER 2009
Cool, overcast conditions greeted a record fi eld of close to 4 000 participants in the 2009 Landmarks Half Marathon and 6km fun run/walk, organised by the Western Province Cricket Club running section.
This popular event offers participants a fairly tough but scenic route through the leafy southern suburbs of Rondebosch and Newlands, past various landmarks in the area that include the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Rondebosch Common, Mostert’s Mill, UCT, Rhodes Memorial, Newlands Forest, South African Breweries, Newlands Rugby Stadium and Sahara Park.
The ideal racing conditions saw Mr Price Western Province athlete Zolani Ntgona cross the finish line in a time of 1:07:02, with team mate Sibusiso Mbingelele taking second place, just two seconds behind him. Mbingelele, who was also second last year, won the King of the Mountain title for reaching the highest point at Rhodes Memorial first.
Celtic Harriers athlete Anthony Godongwana was third in 1:07:58. Celtic Harriers dominated the women’s race again this year, claiming all three podium positions, with last year’s winner Thozama April breaking the tape in 1:21:37. Second home was course record holder (1:19:49) Bulelwa Mtshagi in a time of 1:24:50, with Busisiwe Matiwane third in 1:27:22. April also took the Queen of the Mountain title.
The 6km fun/run walk incorporated a Schools Challenge, which offered prize money sponsored by ADT totalling R20 000 for the four schools with the highest percentage of finishers. The fun run/walk attracted a fi eld of 2 000 participants, including over 1 000 schoolchildren from all over Cape Town. The City of Cape Town, in partnership with the event and the JAG Sports and Education Foundation, provided transport for around 600 children to encourage them to take an active role in sports events.