KNYSNA NEWS - The Micfin Knysna Heads Marathon, held recently at Thesen Island, proved to be an overwhelming success, bringing together hundreds of athletes from different regions.
A total of 536 athletes participated in the four events on offer, namely the 42.2km marathon, 5km fun run, 10km race and the 21.1km half marathon.
A total of 121 runners achieved qualification for the iconic national Comrades Marathon.
Up and away at six
Proceedings got underway as early as 06:00, with the 42.2km first on the menu. In this race, Ignatious Ncube grabbed top spot in a time of 2:42:03. Catherine Williamson emerged as the first female athlete to cross the finish line, in a time of 2:53:17. Overall, Williamson achieved 6th place.
The winners of the men's 42.2km are, from left, Tholinhlanhla Shabalala (2nd), Ignatious Ncube (Ist) and Unathi Ndawo (3rd).
Standout performance
One standout achievement was that of 73-year-old Knysna resident Arthur Valasis, who qualified for the Comrades Marathon with a remarkable time of 4:22:47. His dedication and commitment to his training served as a shining example of the power of persistence and passion for the sport, regardless of age.
Key roleplayers
The event's success was not just down to the runners but also to the critical contributions of various organisations that helped make the race smooth and safe.
The provincial and Knysna traffic departments played an instrumental role in ensuring the safety of the participants by effectively managing the route and traffic flow throughout the day.
The 42.2km women winners are, from left, Katy Scholtz (3rd), Catherine Williamson (Ist) and Georgina Els (2nd).
Another key element that made the marathon truly special was the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere at the water points. Local businesses and community organisations generously stepped in to provide water, refreshments and an encouraging environment for runners.
"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who made this event a success including our sponsors, Micfin and Ian Cilliers. Without their unwavering support, events like this would not be possible," said the event organiser, Morney Willemse.
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