Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - The final leg of the Fortress Running Series took place at the Flamwood Walk Shopping Centre over the weekend.
Gladwin Mzazi delivered on his promise to inspire the youth when he won his hometown race on Sunday November 19. The Boxer Athletic Club top runner who started running in Jouberton as a 13-year-old before moving on to Central Gauteng, returned to his hometown for the final instalment of the 2023 Fortress Running Series.
Mzazi did not disappoint as he won the 21km race ahead of Kemoreng Moabank-we and Ofentse Motlhomi. Winning a race where it all started was a special moment for the 35-year-old and he hopes it will inspire the next generation of elite athletes from Klerksdorp.
“I’m very happy that there is this race taking place in Klerksdorp, especially in the short distances (the Fortress Running Series includes half marathon, 10km and 5km races) because there are very few such races that get hosted at home. I think there are less than five races in a year that are hosted in Klerksdorp, so it’s great that Fortress brought a race here. When I was growing up, I used to have to go to nearby Potchefstroom to see big races with top athletes. So, it is exciting because the young ones get to see the athletes they admire and run with them in their own backyard,” explained the former SA 5000m champion and 2-time World University Games gold medalist.
Mzazi’s sentiments were echoed by double Comrades Marathon Champion Tete Dijana. The 50km World Record holder has taken part in two of the four Fortress Running Series events this year at the Venda Plaza in July and Flamwood Walk. Dijana says he wishes that the Fortress Running Series will one day host a race in Mafikeng.
“In the town that I’m from, there’s not even a race - not even one single race. So that’s why I love the Fortress Running Series because it is taking races to those smaller towns which is good for identifying talent and the development of the sport,” explained the man who was honoured with a certificate of recognition for his contribution to athletics at an intimate event on Saturday November 18.
The women’s 21km race was won by Olympian Lebo Phalula who got the better of the up-and-coming Mamosebetsi Khajoane of Lesotho and Cornelia Joubert who also took part in the Fortress Running Series at the Evaton Mall in August.
