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While KwaZulu-Natal prides itself on the Comrades Marathon and Cape Town on the Two Oceans, and Soweto boasts a race that has a long-standing association with the tradition-steeped township, Tembisa has quietly been building its own landmark race over the years in the form of the Spar Thembisa Mile.
The brainchild of social runner and athletics commentator Donald Mathipa, the annual event in the Ekurhuleni township has grown in stature, having started off as a social event to mark World Aids Day in December 2012.
Thembisa Mile is unique from the rest of the local road running events as it offers a mile race (1.6km) and a 10km run, as well as fun walks over the two distances.
Also featured in the programme are races involving girls and boys in the Under-10, Under-13 and Under-15 categories, as well as the junior category for Under-19s.
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Mathipa said the Ekurhuleni race – themed the Running Party – thrived on its ability to attract some of the country’s most elite middle-distance runners.
On its first anniversary in 2013, Mathipa invited Johan Cronje when he was fresh from winning South Africa’s only medal – a bronze in the 1 500m – at the World Athletics Championships in Russia.
“Since then, the likes of Elroy Gelant, Gladwin Mzazi and Desmond Mokgobu have come in and have been regulars as the main attractions for the mile.
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“This also gave other prominent runners, both men and women, a sense of security to join us over the past few years,” explained Mathipa.
The women’s field has had the likes of Kesa Molotsane, Nolene Conrad, the Phalula twins Lebo and Lebogang, and, recently, Prudence Sekgodiso, who is the defending champion in the mile.
The 20-year-old Sekgodiso had a breakthrough year. She won the 800m and 1 500m double at the national championships in April and qualified for the World Championships in her first year as a senior. She is touted as the one to pick up the 800m baton from Caster Semenya, who dominated the women’s two-lapper for over a decade.
Also to look out for in Tembisa is the men’s defending champion Ryan Mphahlele and Gelant, who will face off against reigning national 10km champion Andries Sesedi in the 10km.
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Online entries for the mile and 10km will close today, but Mathipa said late entries and race number collection could still be made at the Moses Molelekwa Community Centre (next to Makhulong Stadium) on Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 8am to 6pm; and on the morning of the race from 5am to 7am.
“All registered finishers will get bronze medals and Spar goodie bags,” said Mathipa, adding that entry fees are R150 for 10km and R50 for the mile.
Enter online at tembisamile.co.za
