FOREVER RESORTS LOSKOP SERIES
26th
run of the Forever Resorts Loskop Marathon Series
Samuel Moleshioa was a surprise winner
in the 26th Forever Resorts Loskop 50km ultra-marathon
in a time of two hours 44 minutes 43 seconds missing
the record by 40 seconds, while Elias Mabane crashed
the veteran record to earn a R20, 000 incentive and
third place.
The 3500 runners lined up in cool overcast conditions
that turned to rain in the second half making for
fast times.
“I took lead from 16 km. I tested the guys
to see what they would do, but all seemed tired and
would not follow me; so I went alone through to the
finish,” said Moleshioa who is a member of
the Anmar club, which is chaired by Comrades Gold
medallist Johan Oosthuizen.
It was Oosthuizen who inspired the 25 year old worker
at Middleberg Primary School into the race, leaving
him as surprised as the crowd that he took line honours. “I
do not know what I will do with the prize money as
I did not expect to win.”
Although he takes home R 10,000 there was almost
a R 100,000 bonus. Cramping as he crested the
tough Varaday’s two kilometre climb to 48km,
Moleshioa was forced to a 30 metre walk.
Zimbabwean Cephas Pasipamire was a distant second
in two hours 47 minutes and 32 seconds with a fleet-footed
Elias Mabane securing the third place overall and
eclipsing the veterans record of 2:50:09 set by Issac
Tshabalala in 2002, with his 2:47:53. With third
place, first veteran and the record bonus Mabane’s
pay-day outshone the winner taking home R 21,500.
Mabane's time was a world leading time for a veteran
over 50km but as the Loskop event utilises a downhill
point to point course, the time will not be recognised
for record ranking.
The 2009 Loskop and 2010 Old Mutual Om Die Dam winner,
Chiyedsa Chokore regained her title in a time of
3:23:29, almost 11 minutes clear of her cousin and
the 2008 winner Muchanteta Gwata.
The race was virtually won from the gun to tape which
the Mr Price athlete felt may have cost a record
attempt. “There was no-one willing to come
with me, perhaps if Gwata had pushed we could have
got closer to the record in these conditions,” said
Chokore
Julanie Basson of the powerful Toyota club was first
of the South African behind the two Zimbabweans ladies.
Just under 1500 runners took in the fifth Forever
Half marathon which mixes road and off road racing
over a tough course around the Loskop dam.
Wirimat Juwawu running as an independent opened a
100 metre gap over Eskom Gijimas’ Amos Thenjekwayo
to break the line in one hour ten minutes and 14
seconds, with Bashewa’s Millen Matende third
in 1:11:15.
Zola Pieterse continues her tour of the country.
The legendary bare-foot runner was second in the
half marathon almost eleven minutes adrift from Bashewa’s
Olivia Chitate, and added the 40-49 age category
award in 1:37:21
