July 19, 2004
By Lebofsa Masha
INTERNATIONAL athletes made their mark on the second Blue IQ Joburg City Challenge 21km on Sunday: the winners of the richest half-marathon on the African continent came from Kenya and Russia.
Kenyan Yusuf Songoka clinched the men's race in 63:03 minutes - just off the course record of 62:24 set by Jaouad Gharib last year. He pocketed the R175 000 purse.
Lyubov Denisova of Russia fought off an early challenge by Hava Hussein, a Tanzanian, to cross the line first in the women's race. She too took home a cheque of R175 000.
The race got off to a shaky start when shoving and pushing in the crowd of 10 000 runners caused those in front to jump the gun. Runners had to be recalled to restart the race; Gauteng's MEC for finance, Paul Mashatile, fired the starter's gun.
"The race is becoming more popular by the year and next time they should have a strong barrier in front to keep runners in order," Mashatile said.
The race, on 18 July, coincided with Nelson Mandela's 86th birthday. The half-marathon, said Blue IQ's communications manager, Natascha Uberbacher, was "not just a race, but a celebration of Mandela's birthday".
Uberbacher added: "People want to celebrate the achievements of the City and its important landmarks," she said.
Mashatile wished Mandela - who was with his family in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape - a happy birthday.
A large crowd gathered in Mary Fitzgerald Square to watch the athletes in action on a large television screen. People were also entertained by the celebrity street mile and a 10km race in celebration of a decade of democracy.
Twenty-four-year-old Songoka, who finished second last year, beat off a strong international field to take the gold medal. He pipped a fellow Kenyan, Luke Kibet, Guthbut Nyasanga, a Zimbabwean, and Julius Kibert, also from Kenya.
"I came prepared to win the race," Sangoka said. He had prepared to run in Europe before deciding to come to South Africa.
Gharib, from Morocco, could not defend his title because of commitments ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games.
The first South African to cross the finishing line was Sylvester Moleko, in fifth position.
Denisova, a 32-year-old professional runner, said she had come all the way from Moscow just to run in the 21km women's race.
Some of the winners in the Blue IQ race
"I wanted to see South Africa," she said. She clocked a finishing time of 74:23, slower than the record of 73:40 set by a fellow Russian, Gacina Alexandrova, in the inaugural race.
Second and third places in the women's race went to Hava Hussein and Rose Nyangacha, both from Tanzania; Faith Kamangila from Zimbabwe finished fourth.
The men's street mile was won by Johan Cronje. Lebogang Phalula came first in the women's race.
Mashatile presented medals and cheques to the winners of the half-marathon. Second and third places won R75 000 and R50 000 respectively.
Poppy Mlambo and Juwawo Wirimayi finished first in the 10km women's and men's races; each scooped R10 000 and a gold medal. Each top athlete also received a gold bar from Harmony Gold Mining Company.
Around the square, the crowds mingled with athletes, enjoying the entertainment. Well-wishers were invited to use a loudspeaker to send birthday greetings to Madiba.
However, not all the racers were happy at the end of the event. Some runners complained about being given wrong medals: they took home bronze instead of silver. Other participants complained they did not get their commemorative "10 year of freedom" bronze medals for taking part in the celebrations.
Petro Pieterson from FIT2000 Athletic Club in Bedfordview said he wouldn't take part in the event again. "It's badly organised, no coke, no medals," he said.
Lefty Maloka from Katlehong Liberty Nike Athletic Club was angry about being given a bronze instead of a silver medal after completing the 10km race in 35:24.
"Last year it was the same thing," said Kenneth Molwagae from the same club in Katlehong.
Uberbacher promised runners the mistakes would be rectified.
"Unfortunately there were so many runners we ran out of medals. But anyone who has a number and can prove that he or she was part of the race will be given their medal, as more will be printed," she said.
For more information contact Uberbacher: 011 689 624 or 072 531 9717.
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