Nedbank running club athlete Joel Mmone scored an impressive victory over the weekend at the Phakamile Mabija Human rights Half Marathon that was held in Kimberly, to celebrate South Africa’s Human Rights Day celebrations.
The speedster who trains under the watchful eye of Nedbank running club development coach, Pio Mpolokeng, was a runaway victor, taking the title in 1:03:48. Taking 3rd and completing the podium was teammate Petrus Mosumi who clocked 1:07:28.
“I’m very happy with the way Joel performed today and its an indication that training is on the right path,” said a very happy coach Mpolokeng. “It’s the first road race in a very long time because of Covid, and our main aim now is the SA Half Marathon championships that is taking place on 1 May.”
In the accompany 10km, Nedbank running club development athlete Bakang Kgokong, who is only 18 years old, took overall victory crossing the line in 32:19. His teammate, Dino Nako, finished 3rd in 33:23. Staying on the roads, Nedbank running club Kwa Zulu Natal athlete Sithembele Fanekho finished 3rd overall in the Eastern Cape Human Rights half marathon.
In Cape Town, Western Province hosted another track league as its athletes prepare for the upcoming South African Championships. In the men’s 5000m, Andre Afrika finished 3rd. Teammates Star Shayamano and Raydon Balie finished 4th and 6th respectively. In the ladies 5000m, Anel Terblanche had a welcome return to racing taking victory. Rolandi Schutte was 3rd as well as first veteran. Bruce Lynn Damon also saw a return to competition after some injury setbacks. In windy conditions, he picked up two wins over 800m and 1500m clocking 1:56 and 4:01 respectively.
Over in Secunda, ultra-marathon runner continued fine form on the track, taking first place over 3000m in a time of 10:40. In Oudtshoorn, youngster Tonya Schoeman carrys on churning out impressive performance’s week after week. She competed in no less than 3 events, picking up the girls u16 win in the 3000m, 2nd in the u16 800m and 2nd in the 1500m steeplechase.
The Nedbank running club distance runners in Port Elizabeth stepped onto the track again for the NNMB track & field series league 3 over 5000m. Quickest of the men was Andile Motwana who took overall victory in a time of 14:54. In the women’s event, there were podium finishes for teammates Kelly van Vliet and Ntombesintu Mfunzi who finished 2nd and 3rd, in times of 18:02 and 18:15.
With the African X Trail run over 3 days taking place this week with some top Nedbank running club stars out in action, Siyabonga Sakwe finished his preparations for the event by finishing 2nd in the Hill Legend challenge in Paarl.
Nedbank running club wishes all its athletes taking on the African X trail event this week the best of luck.