Another Successful Swartberg Half Marathon

- Brian Modra -

On Saturday, 16 May, the Zwartberg Runners hosted their second annual Swartberg Pass Half Marathon – a course of 21.1km. The event also included a 10km race, and a 5km fun-run. Over 100 runners and walkers from various parts of the Karoo and the Garden Route participated. Prince Albert was well represented in all events, with several local runners performing particularly well.

Vuyo Witbooi of Outeniqua Harriers won the Half Marathon again and improved on his time of last year. He completed the race in 01:12:37.62 and was followed just under a minute later by Principal Fana of Nedbank (George). Salman Bool of Run/Walk for Life ran in third. The first woman home was Lorraine Fieuw, followed by Zwartberg Runners’ Johanna Mokoaqo, who was placed 11th overall.

Prince Albert’s Hendry Olivier took the honours in the 10km race in a time of 00:34:30, followed by Mihan and Kerry Roos of the Knysna Marathon club, in second and third place, respectively. Sixteen-year old Joshua Swanepoel of the Zwartberg Runners did very well to finish in fourth position. Well done too to the club’s Anton Joubert and Louisa Mokoaqo who finished in ninth and tenth place, respectively.

All the results and photographs of the participants are on the Zwartberg Runners web site: http://www.zwartberg.com/runners

Participants had high praise for the smooth organisation of the race and enjoyed the beauty of their surroundings. Terry Barnato, Chairperson of the Zwartberg Runners, was grateful to the various people who had made an extra effort to make the day the success that it was. She said: “In addition to our main sponsors, Lazy Lizard, Koggelmander, the Municipality, and Bergwater, others helped too- Johan Mulder of Lewis Stores, and Prince Charm, Lah-di-dah, Prins-Kem, Die Klerekas, Karoo Slaghuis, Aardvaark Cottage, Café Albert and Spar, who all provided spot prizes for the runners. Weltevrede donated naartjies for the runners along the routes. Thanks too to Therene Fourie for entertaining us at the finish and to the Police for help with the route. There were even people from out of town who helped! A special thank you to the Club’s committee and to all the townsfolk who rallied to help in all sorts of ways on the day.”