By Dwight Sekgoro
The Annual Kimberley Half Marathon was inaugurated last Saturday at the Kgosi Galeshewe Running Club initiative. The race attracted contestants from Lesotho, Bloemfontein, Kuruman, and local running clubs, including the South African Police and Correctional Services. Premier Zamani Saul also participated in this spectacular race.
Participants consisted of professionals, novices, seasoned runners and first-time half marathoners. Some Athletes brazed the cold morning to be at Galeshewe Stadium at 6:30 when MEC Deserey Fenese pulled the trigger at the starting point. The route allowed participants to view iconic sites such as Mayibuye Centre, Pick ‘n Pay Circle, the big hole and returning at the Kimberley War Monument.
The race was divided into three categories, 4,9km, 10km and 21.1km, to increase public participation, with participant ages ranging from 6 to 60 years old.
According to the organisers, the purpose of the marathon was to expose the Galeshewe community to the possibilities within the athletics arena as well as lucrative career opportunities and to afford Comrades Marathon a chance to test the ability of athletes while giving participants a platform to challenge themselves, push their limits and achieve personal goals.
The 2023 Kimberley Half Marathon winner of the 21.1 km in the male category was Mxenecelwa Miya finishing off at 1:05:49. Arthur Jantjies earned himself the second spot, with Gladwin Mzazi coming in third place. It was a close call between the leading ladies, Mamosebetsi Khojwane leading at 1:21:17, followed by Likeleli Majara at 01:21:39 in the female category.
A proud member of the Kgosi Galeshewe Athletics Club Marketing team, Winnie Mobita, said “The Kimberley Iconic Sites Half Marathon was an exceptionally planned and well-executed race which garnered support from runners across South Africa including Lesotho, a first of many to come.”
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