Postmasburg — Joel Mmone powered away from Desmond Mokgobu over the second half of the 21km event to claim victory at The Great Kolomela Iron Road Race which started and finished in Postmasburg on Saturday morning.
The Nedbank athletics club athlete and Wobukaosi Tshuma were the big winners as they took the men’s and women’s titles respectively over the half marathon distances in the Northern Cape season-ending road running event on Saturday morning.
Mmone won the men’s half marathon in a time of 1:05:53, almost three minutes ahead Desmond Mokgobu (1:08:25) with Tete Dijana covering the 21,1km distance in 1:09:27 to claim third.
The women’s 21,1km was won by Tshuma in a time of 1:21:29 with Rudo Mhonderwa second (1:25:37) and Slindile Chili (1:27:05) third.
In the men’s race Mmone and Mokgobu from the Olifants Athletic Club matched each other over the first few kilometres and went through the eight-kilometre split together in a time of 23 minutes 37 seconds.However, soon after that Mmone turned up the power and by 15km had opened up a small but significant gap, which quickly grew as they pair raced back to the start / finish at the Postmasburg showgrounds.
Dijana was closing in on Mokgobu over the closing kilometres but had left himself with too much to do when he allowed the two leaders to slip away early in the race.
In the women’s half marathon Tshuma was never seriously challenged as she quickly established an advantage over her nearest challenges and her biggest challenge became a battle for a top 20 finish as she eased her way past the fast-starting rabbits to finish 19th overall.
The battle for the minor placings in the women’s race was relatively uneventful as Mhonderwa and Chili settled for second and third early in the event.
In contrast, the battle for the women’s victory in the 10km provided plenty of excitement with Catherina Skosana just outsprinting Siphokazi Diko at the finish line. The pair were credited with the same time of 36:39. Kebogile Motshabi was third in a time of 37:16.
The men’s 10km was almost as close with Thabang Mosiako edging out Mathews Leeto by just 11 seconds. Mosiako’s time was 27:44 with Jacob Malefo taking third in 28:48.
The 5km winners were Jerry Motsau and Anna Moeketsi.
Full race results at bit.ly/KolomelaRes19.
Leading results
21km: Male
1 Joel Mmone 1.05.53
2 Desmond Mokgobu 1.08.25
3 Tete Dijana 1.09.27
4 Rabson Chigara 1.09.56
5 David Manja 1.11.17
Female
1 Wobukaosi Tshuma 1.21.29
2 Rudo Mhonderwa 1.25.37
3 Slindile Chili 1.27.05
4 Paulina Njeya 1.32.18
5 Tabitha Tsatsa 1.35.18
10km: Male
1 Thabang Mosiako 27.44
2 Mathews Leeto 27.55
3 Jacob Malefo 28.48
4 Thuso Dintwe 29.37
5 Frik Guys 29.48
Female
1 Catherina Skosana 36.39
2 Siphokazi Diko 36.39
3 Kebogile Motshabi 37.16
4 Justine Thole 37.56
5 Lindiwe Khumalo 38.09
5km: Male
1 Jerry Motsau 15.59
2 Coolboy Naamoie 16.02
3 Jonas Soke 16.36
4 Moselakwe Matshailwe 16.38
5 Kabelo Motsamai 17.47
Female
1 Anna Moeketsi 20.50
2 Maphuti Phaka 23.24
3 Amantle Badala 24.30
4 Mia Ekkerd 24.35
5 Malebogo Sekhutlo 27.02