Hollywood Athletics Club Runners Excel at the Balwin Marathon
Hollywood Athletics Club Runners Excel at the Balwin Marathon
On Sunday, the Balwin Marathon saw a remarkable performance by the runners of the Hollywood Athletics Club, who showed up in impressive numbers and produced outstanding results.
Prodigal Khumalo, who now holds the role of Coach in the club, finished 3rd overall and first in his age group with a time of 2:32:49, thus securing his Comrades entry. Moreover, Khumalo was one of many who excelled in his age group, as 14 other Hollywood Athletic Club runners also finished in the top 50.
In the women’s 42km race, Loveness Madziva, kept up the pace to claim second place in a very competitive and tight race between her and Alice Timibili, who edged Madizwa, winning in a time of 2:52:21 to Madziwa’s 2:53.43. It was a gutsy performance from Madizivha, who is deep into preparations for the Two Oceans Marathon and earned her widespread acclaim and admiration from her teammates and rivals alike. “It came down to who had more in the tank, Alice, pushed me to the finish and proved to be faster on the day, I took a lot from this race and I know what to focus on for the next race”, said Madziva.
Hollywood Athletics Club had two ladies on the podium in the Marathon, as Lethokuhle Letsoalo came home in third (3:16.30). Lethu, as she is known in the running community, is deep in preparation for the Comrades Marathon. Pretty Hlongwane, also put in a solid effort, finishing in the top 10.
In the women’s 21km race, 60-year-old Debby De Koning, finished first in her age group with an impressive time of 1:47:35. Her win qualifies Debby to represent KZNA at the ASA SA Half Marathon Championships in Nelson Mandela Bay on 3 June.
Club President, Morgan Shandu, expressed his delight and praised the runners for their hard work and dedication. “We are thrilled with the results of our runners today,” he said. “They have been training hard for this event, and their hard work has paid off. We are proud of them and their achievements, and we look forward to more success in the future,” he added.
Overall, the Balwin Marathon was a great day for the Hollywood Athletics Club, with 204 club members coming out on race day. The Purple Team is creating waves in KwaZulu Natal with its huge attendance numbers at races and the festive atmosphere they bring to both the actual running and the post-race celebrations.