Thabazimbi – The Marakele Marathon, a qualifying race to the Comrades, took place on Saturday, 3 March at Marakele National Park outside Thabazimbi.
“This was great opportunity to get in touch with nature where the Big 5 roams freely,” said Mphadeni Nthangeni, park manager at Marakele.
This marathon was organised by SANParks in partnership with SANParks Honorary Rangers and Thabazimbi Marathon Club. Proceeds from this race will be used to support conservation projects in the park.
Participants entered in the following categories: 42km; 21km; 10km and 5km fun run.
Eric Vermeulen, commentator for the day, kept spectators and runners-up to speed about the day’s happenings.
For the first time this year all participants who completed the race, received a medal resembling one of the Big 5. This trend will continue for the next five years with each year focussing on a specific member of the Big 5. This year’s medal was the leopard.
Overall male winner Kagiso Motyale with a time of 2:39:22 (42,2km) at the finishing line.
The Pro-Training (personal training team) participated in the 10km race. From left: Kobus Pretorius, Marelize Du Toit, Jómarie Kotze and Juan Booyse.
Female champion Ramadimetja Babili (1 in the 42,2km race) with a time of 3:17:08 at the finishing line.
Northam Platinum Mine rescue services: From left: Wickus Stevens, Wynand Aveling, Werner Geel and Andrew Burger (in the 10 km race).
Excitement as the 5km fun race began for the entire family!
and Roland du Plessis, joining us all the way from Meyerton.
Pieter Lemer aka Spiderman, competed in the 10km fun-run to create awareness for the kids.
Well done to Barry Smith, 71, who finished the 10km race.
embers of the Thaba Tholo Club who competed in the 10km run, from left: Jackson Mokoena, Thulani Chauke and Steven Moluleke
Lindiwe Khumalo coming in 2 in the 21 km race, with a time of 1:41:36 (category female veteran 40-49yrs).
Pfarelo Mathada, 2 in the 42,2km with a time of 2:41:15.
Karine Bezuidenhout, 2 in the 42.2km race with a time of 3:43:34.
Ramadimetja Babili, the overall woman’s champion, receiving her winning price of R5000 from Liz McGeerd chief operational manager SANParks (left); and Ruben , general manager SANParks (right).
