No less than 83% of athletes participating in the 29th Sasol Sasolburg Marathon 42,2km race took advantage of the fast, flat course to qualify for the upcoming Comrades Marathon by completing the race within the required 04:49:59.
Thabiso Mosekili from Arcelor Mittal Athletics Club was the winning male over the 42,2km in an excellent 02:28:12. Kebogile Mtshabi from Pan African Resources swept the female race in 03:00:02.
The 21,1km half marathon was won by Pule Sibeko from Mr Price Elite in Kwa-Zulu Natal in 01:08:12, while Katy van Meter from Ubora CGA was the first lady to cross the finish line in 01:23:13.
One of the most exciting categories at the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon is always the 10km race. Thabo Motaung from 32 GI Running Club crossed the finish line in a mere 00:32:31 to take honours in the male race while Deanne Labuscher from Nedbank Running Club was the first female home in the 10km race. Her winning time was a fast 00:37:50.
In the past the 5km fun run saw a less competitive crowd of families and colleagues sharing in the excitement of the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon. However, this year the usual crowd of families and friends made up the bulk of the fun run participants, while several dedicated youngsters lined the front row, determined to take on the 5km challenge with as much dedication as the front runners of the other distances.
According to third-time participant in the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon, Elliot Mathebula from Johnson Matthey AC in Alberton, he was elated to have completed the marathon in 04:38:19, granting him the opportunity to participate in his sixth Comrades Marathon later this year. Mathebula especially thanked the service at the waterpoints along the route that efficiently served a variety of refreshments to the runners along the route.
The waterpoints are hosted by employees from local businesses that compete against each other to be crowned the best waterpoint of the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon. This year the winning waterpoint was De Beer and Claassen attorneys.
According to Rightwell Laxa, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Sasol pursues sponsorships that enhance its brand and its goodwill, inspire creativity, innovation, and create unique opportunities to build stakeholder relationships and experiences to make a lasting impact in the daily lives of South Africans. “Apart from supporting healthy living through the sponsorship of the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon, we also showcase the town’s infrastructure such as the internationally accredited DP de Villiers Stadium. But an event like this also has a strong community element as it boosts our local economy and creates an opportunity for the community to be part of an accredited sports event,” said Laxa.
The 29th Sasol Sasolburg Marathon 2024 was again hosted in partnership with the Sasolburg Athletics Club and Athletics Free State, a partnership that has proven a major success over 29 years. All race results are available here.
Click here to see more #TeamSasol initiatives.
