With three
different distances on offer and even a 50m nappy dash for toddlers, this event, organised by Randburg Harriers and
Sportsvendo, really catered for every type of runner as well as the
whole family, which saw the race once again attract a great turn-out. The
courses were hilly and tough, but for many this was a perfect training run
before Comrades in June. In the men’s field, Nedbank’s Shadrack Hoff won the
21.1km in a solid time of 1:08:03, just a second ahead of Phillip Molefe from
Rustenburg. In the women’s race, Nedbanks’s Olympic marathon qualifier Rene
Kalmer led the field home in a course record 1:16:18, with clubmate and fellow
Olympic qualifier Irvette van Blerk second in 1:19:17.
The fun did
not end with the running, though! Race sponsor, SA Pork, together with
co-sponsor Eskort, hosted an inter-club pork braai competition, and the team of
celebrity judges included top runners Bruce Fordyce, Irvette van Blerk and Nick
Bester, society favourite Annie Malan, Egoli star David Vlok and Kwaito legend
Kabelo Mabalane, who had all run the Kwai Challenge and were ready for some
good food! They judged on taste, creativity and presentation, under the
guidance of chef Stephan Prinsloo, and the winners of the braai competition
were ‘The Purple Pigs.’ The day ended off with a surprise performance by Kabelo
to really wrap up a great event.
Heard at the Finish
Dan Mothiva (21.1km): “The route was fast and I thought
the short hills were okay in the end. This is great preparation for Comrades,
because it’s a well organised event for the whole family!”
Patricia Prismall (10km): “Getting in around 90min is not bad
for a 60-something, wouldn’t you say? The hills were long, but I overcame it!
It’s a very well organised family day!”
Warren Pie (21.1km): “I just flew, so it went well for me.
I got in at 1:26, so it’s a PB! You can still get momentum because the hills go
quickly, and Harriers are great organisers.”