MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – A record number of more than 400 athletes took part in the very successful Bosveld Three-in-One Marathon meeting during the past weekend.

There was an increase in the entries in al three races, namely the 42km, 21km and 10km events. Athletes from all parts of the Limpopo Province and also from clubs in Gauteng took part in the popular annual event organized by the Soutpansberg Athletics Club.

The chairperson of the club, Mr Hennie Coetzee, expressed satisfaction with the event. He said most of the prominent runners who took part in the previous annual events again entered this year. The winner in the overall Three-in-One event was Stanley Nekhondela of Harmony Gold. This was his third win in this annual event. Stanley won the 42km in 2:43:37.

Jane Mudau, also from Harmony, was the winner in the women’s division of the Three-in-One. She was also the winner in the veterans’ division of the race. Her winning time in the 42km event was 3:38:00.

The winner in the men’s veteran division in the 42km is Albert Masela from Polokwane. Phuti Mabothya of Escom Gijima was the winner in the men’s masters division, while Petrus Ngobeni of Soutpansberg won the grandmasters division.

The winner in the 21km event was Bethuel Netshifefhe of Har-mony. Mavis Maduka of Tshakuma was the winner of the women’s division in the 21km event.

In the 10km event, Humbulani Dzebu was the winner in a time of 34 minutes and 35 seconds. The winner in the women’s division was Elmarie Badenhorst of the Potgietersrus Club.

Mr Coetzee said most participants expressed their high appreciation for the well-organized support by traffic officials.

Mr Coetzee also thanked all people, businesses and organizations who contributed to the success of the event. The Makhado Municipality was the main sponsor. Desai Cash & Carry sponsored the T-shirts for all 3-in-1 athletes and FNB supplied T-shirts for officials. Waterpoints were manned by Ridgeway College, FNB, Coca-Cola Fortune (which also provided drinks, glasses, vending cars, ice and prizes), Standard Bank, ABSA, Old Mutual (who also supplied a stopwatch), Mount Fuji, Build IT, Kern & Dekker, the local Voortrekkers, PG Glass and SACM. Intercity Delta supplied a vehicle, Grasdak, Lalapanzi en Bergwater hotels supplied meals to the athletes, while Stegmann Hout Produkte manufactured the trophies.

RediBox supplied refuse cartons; the Dutch Reformed Church Louis Trichardt supplied tables and chairs; Alfa Chemist and Du Toits Pharmacy supplied gloves; Prima Butchery provided the meat for the final braai and Pennells supplied the appropriate containers for everything to be kept cool and neat.