Mohale, Vilakazi the king and queen of the Birchwood Half-Marathon
Now in its nine year, the race started and ended on the 52 sprawling hectares of gardens of the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. Aimed at attracting both dedicated athletes, and promoting exercise, combined with fun, for a healthy lifestyle among Gauteng's families, the race has grown year on year.
It would probably be unfair to say that Lucky Mohale was lucky to win this year’s version of the Birchwood Half-Marathon considering the tight finishing times between him and runner-up, Bedfordview’s Country Club’s Derocious Makhobalo.
Mohale crossed the finishing line in an impressive time of a little less than one hour and eight minutes (1:07:35), followed by Makhobalo who finished in an almost identical time of 1:07:38.
As the notion goes – there’s no other alternative meaning of winning: a win is a win – whether by a gulf or a hair.
Mohale emerged as the king of this year’s race on April 14 at the Birchwood Hotel.
Meswene Africa Mailola completed the top three when he finished in 1:07:59.
Mohale’s counterpart on the day emerged to be Maria Vilakazi, who earned her crown in a time of 1:29:36.
Emmah Mathibela and Belinda Marais completed the podium in respective numbers of 1:30:16 and 1:33:28.
In the 10km race, the trio of Michael Pienaar, Mkhuhlane Mgcina and Sakhile Simelane emerged as the top three respectively. They clocked 32:33, 32:56 and 33:59.
In the women’s race, it was Beth Mendel, Maphuti Phaka and Karen Brough who led the pack in times of 44:32, 44:41 and 44:57.
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