The annual Spar Limpopo Mirror half-marathon, called the Spar Mirror Tafelberg Half-Marathon this year, again attracted a large number of athletes from across the region on Saturday.

Close to 200 athletes competed in this year’s event, hosted in Thohoyandou and comprising a half- marathon, a 10km race and 5km fun run. Apart from cash prizes totalling more than R20 000 for the different category winners, there was also a R3 000 cash prize for the school who entered the most participants. This prize was sponsored by the Limpopo Mirror.

The 21.1km race again drew top names in running circles with Ronny Liburu (Eyonox) finishing the race in a time of 1:04:15 to snatch up first place some three minutes before his nearest competitor Luwis Masunde (Harmony) who came in at a time of 1:07:33. Well-known local athlete Bethuel Netshifhefhe was third in a time of 1:08:03.

The women’s category of the half-marathon was dominated by Harmony’s runners taking first, second and third place. The race was won by Rutendo Nyahora, who crossed the finishing line in a time of 1:20:14. Just over six minutes later, Glady’s Lukhwareni finished second in a time of 1:26:57, with Joice Makwarela securing herself a third place in a time of 1:41:36.

Other category winners in the half-marathon included Thikhathali Libago (Soutpansberg), winner of the junior boys´ category in a time of 1:19:26, Lutendo Chauke (Tshakuma) – winner of the junior girls in a time of 1:43:33, Thomas Ngobeni (Soutpansberg) – winner veteran men in a time of 1:16:09, Jane Mudau (Harmony) – winner of the veteran ladies in a time of 1:53:06, Peter Tshikundamalema (Vodacom) – winner of the grandmasters men in a time of 1:53:42 and Philip Budeli (Tshilidzini) – winner of the category for disabled men.

As for the 10km race, the first runner home was Samuel Pazanga (Mr Price) in a time of 40 minutes. He was followed by David (surname unknown) from Harmony in a time of 40:12 and Frans Makda third in 42:35. The first lady across the finishing line was Muchanetia Swata (Mr Price) in a time of 49:16. Mbofholowo Sihadi (Harmony) was second in a time of 49:46 and Livhuwani Gavhi third in 1:06:41.

The prize for the school with the most entries in the 5km fun run was won by Tshiulunga Primary School. (See more photos on page 27).