The Race Organising Committee (ROC) of the Pick n Pay Greater Edendale Race in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has sent out a mammoth thank you to runners both far and wide, for being an integral part of the successful fifth staging of the exciting event this past weekend.
Sunday’s (13 November 2011) race at the FNB Wadley Stadium in Georgetown, Edendale didn’t just maintain the mounting enthusiasm associated with the race over the years but has built on all organizational and logistical facets that lead up to the sporting fixture.
The success of the occasion can be attributed to the collaboration of the Msunduzi Municipality and the Umsunduzi Tourism Association, together with the Comrades Marathon Association and its generous sponsors.
Ecstactic members of the Greater Edendale community came out in droves to support the runners and be part of the joviality and good cheer that strongly characterized the people-building event, which was also attended by Msunduzi Mayor, The Honourable Councillor Chris Ndlela.
The final count revealed that 428 athletes had gathered for the main 10km race with 382 finishers, while the 5km Fun Run saw well over 1200 adults and children uniting behind the start line and completing the funfilled activity.
Competing for the main prize were top short distance athletes such as Siyabonga Nkonde, Sibisiso Madikizela, Thubalethu Paku, Onneil Dintwe and Nonthokozo Mkhize.
The total prize money on offer amounted to a grand total of R14,000. Both male and female winners ran off with a generous first prize of R2,500. The men’s 10km race turned out to be speedy affair, with Siyabonga Nkonde claiming the top accolade in a time of 31:00. Follow up male winners came in as follows:
2nd Sibisiso Madikizela 31:04
3rd Thubalethu Paku 31:08
4th Thobani Chagwe 31:23
5th Tonui Hillary 31:36
Reclaiming first position for the ladies was last year’s winner Onneil Dintwe in a time of 37:00, followed by:
2nd Nontokozo Mkhize 41:04
3rd Slindile Chili 41:20
4th Nontsikelelo Mbambo 43:37
5th Julie Lee 43:40
Results for the 10km Walk were as follows:
Men: Time:
1st Thokozane Dlamini 1:03:40
2nd Rajainlall Dhanlall 1:11:58
3rd Virodh Singh 1:14:33
Women: Time:
1st Maryna Gray 1:03:40
2nd Xolisile Mwelase 1:03:46
3rd Babongile Memela 1:08:40
With SAPS and traffic police on full alert throughout the event, as well as sixty marshals along the route, the safety and security of runners, community members and organizing personnel turned out to be wholly adequate.
A spokesperson for the Greater Edendale ROC says: ‘Our event continues to show growth and to attract new runners into the sport of road running. This is very encouraging as it is an indication that our efforts are appreciated by the community. This is further illustrated by the fact that all of our marshals for the event were volunteers from the local community, organised through the newly formed Greater Edendale Athletics Club.’
He adds: ‘This event is turning out to be a true and inclusive community race. A further contribution to the growth of the event is the involvement of Pick n Pay, whose association with the race is an indication that it has value for the corporate world. We are thankful to Pick n Pay.’
Ntombezinhle Zuma of the Msunduzi Municipality’s Traffic Department says: ‘I must congratulate the ROC. The race was perfect, the route was simple and enjoyable. It was nice to run around my neighbourhood. I hope that you won’t change it next year.’