The Dis-Chem Half Marathon, hosted by Bedfordview Country Club, celebrated its 10th anniversary in January, and it was done in style! The race was superbly organised from start to finish and it was clear why this race is known as Gauteng’s Premier Half Marathon. The 5000 available pre-entries sold out well in advance to race day, while close to 1500 runners entered the 5km dash, which meant there was something for everyone on the day, from the elites to the Average Joe’s to excited children.
One of the highlights of the race was the many elite runners it attracted, which made for superb racing and excellent times being set on the day. Top honours went to Xolisa Tyali and Irvette van Blerk, both from the Nedbank Running Club, as they won the half marathon in times of 1:07:11 and 1:16:28 respectively. While Xolisa finished only 40 seconds ahead of second-placed Shadrack Hoff, Irvette seems to be increasing the gap between herself and her fellow female runners as she finished almost seven minutes ahead of her closest challenger, Mpho Mabuza. This was Irvette’s fourth Dis-Chem victory, her third in a row, and a new course record!
For most runners the 2011 race was a good indication of their fitness levels and what they could expect in their build-up to their different goals. Modern Athlete was at the finish line to find out how some runners experienced the race.
Carey and Adam Teasdale (5km)
The course was nice and not too difficult, though I had to walk quite a bit because of the pram I pushed! All in all it was a good day and we enjoyed it.
Vukile Khoza (21.1km), 1:24:52
The first half of the course was tough, but I enjoyed it.
Munto Khanyile (21.1km), 1:32:27
The course was a tough nut to crack because it was a route where you had to keep pushing the whole time.
Shireen and Sadie Singh (5km) and Derrick Daniels (21.1km), 1:28:13
It was a hard course, a bit like a mineshaft that just kept going and going, but I loved it!
Kellie Cavanagh (21.1km), 1:40
I aimed for a 1:30, but the course was hard. I’ve been training in Boksburg and there aren’t any hills where I’ve been running!
Corn? Loedolff, Retha Strydom (21.1km), 1:54:34 and Andr? Strydom (21.1km), 1:50:02.
This was our first Dis-Chem Half Marathon; we didn’t know what to expect from the route, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Gordon Taylor (21.1km), 1:59:32 and Yogananthan Mahalingam (21.1km), 1:54:18.
What a tough course!
21.1KM RESULTS
Open Men
1. Xolisa Tyali Nedbank Running Club 1:07:11
2. Shadrack Hoff Team Toyota 1:07:51
3. Johannes Kekana Mr Price CG 1:08:22
4. Zongamele Dyubeni Nedbank Running Club 1:08:43
5. Lucky Mohale Bonitas 1:08:59
Open Women
1. Irvette van Blerk Nedbank Running Club 1:16:28
2. Mpho Mabuza Nedbank Running Club 1:23:25
3. Ren? Kalmer Nedbank Running Club 1:23:45
4. Gillian Sieling Temporary 1:27:06
5. Julanie Basson Team Toyota 1:28:49
5KM RESULTS
Open Men
1. Stephen Mokoka Transnet 14:43
2. Tsosane Kgosi Nedbank 14:45
3. Tshamano Setone Independent 14:46
Open Women
1. Nolene Conrad University of Johannesburg 18:18
2. Poseletso Dladla Art of Running 19:19
3. Noria Sibanela Art of Running 19:27
