THE FOUNDER of the Fortress Running Series 10km race, Israel Morake, was impressed with the way the race, Fortress Running Series Vryheid 10km, started with 300 runners in Vryheid, on Saturday.
This race, which includes 10km and 5km, started at Abaqulusi Plaza and ended there. He was won by Samkelo Ngobese of Bella’s Athletics Club, second was Sizwe Ngobese of Biggarsberg Athletics Club, third was Ntando Ximba who also runs for Biggarsberg Athletics Club, for men in 10km.
For women, the winner was Kwanele Sikhakhane of Maxed Elite, second was Msawenkosi Nsibande of Nedbank Running Club, and third was Minenhle Mathe of Lundi Athletics Club.
The winners of the 10km won R2 000, the second was R750, the third was R500 for men and women.
“I am very happy with the way this race started. I am happy to see the youth from rural areas getting an opportunity like this to show their skills in a race of this type that I have a great desire to see flourish in the future.”
“Little by little, we will get to where we are aiming for this race. We felt that we should also expand to small towns, not just focus on big cities,” said Morake who won the Two Oceans Marathon in 1992.
Ngobese (24) from Kwapholoko village, Nquthu, said this race gave him a good opportunity to introduce himself to other races he came to participate in.
“I am happy to have won this race and this increase in races like this in my area in Vryheid gives us a good opportunity as runners in these areas because in other races that are far away in big cities sometimes some of us do not reach them.
“Right now I am preparing to run in the Prince Mangosuthu Ultra Marathon (August 16), which I also want to do well.”
Thami Sukazi who is the chairman of Inkamana Athletics who are the organizers of this race, said that the number of runners (300) who participated in the race gave them hope for the future as they succeeded in reaching the target. He said he sees us growing next year.