Cape Town – About 5 000 people participated in the 21st annual Cape Town Festival of Running at the weekend.
Organised by the Hewat Athletics Club, the City-sponsored event featured a 100km ultra, 50km mini-ultra, 5x5km Team Relay and 21.1km half-marathon.
The 100km and 50km ultras served as official qualifiers for the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon.
Race organiser Rashid Cloete said: “This year's event was a success just like other years. Weather conditions were good, we had over 5 000 people taking part in many activities during Saturday and Sunday.
“Athletes had plenty of choices of which race they wanted to be part of, and there were also plenty of activities for the whole family. This two-day event offered runners four different options of distances to participate in.”
Sesethu Melamane was the ladies winner of the 100km, while Jolandi Lukas won the ladies 50km; Siyabonga Madala won the 100km men’s
race; Siyabonga Sakwe won the men’s 50km.
Deputy mayor Ian Neilson said the festival was a key running event on the City’s annual calendar.
“In addition to being a fun family event, the festival also promotes healthy living and provides an opportunity for Capetonians, from across the metro, to test their mettle against participants from the rest of the country and abroad.
“The City is proud to partner with organisations that promote the development of running and encourage a healthier lifestyle,” Neilson said.