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Press Releases

 FOSKOR 21 HALF MARATHON 2017

The 24^th Foskor Half Marathon which was hosted on the 29^th of July 2017 started promptly at 13H30 in a warm running weather from the Foskor Community centre, Namakgale (Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province) into two of the local villages of Majeje and Makhushane and it was an exciting experience for the first-time runners.

Runners from all over the country together with Ba-Phalaborwa communities saw the Nedbank running athletes, David Manja, the winner in 2016 with a time of 01:05:06 from Mafikeng (Nedbank Running Club) defending his F21 Half Marathon title. David Manja finished strong crossing the line in 01:02:56 running a course personal best (P.B) by two minutes and twelve seconds.

The men were chasing the current course record of 01:01:55 (Ezael Thlobo – 1997) for an additional incentive of R21 100-00. The lead pack were 30 seconds inside the record at 15km. From 17km during the long steady climb to the finish, Elroy Galant and David Manja, who were leading up until 17km, gradually started losing time towards the record attempt. Elroy Galant, looked remarkable crossing the line in 01:03:10 with Joel Mmone (training partner of David Manja) third 01:03:53.

The 2017 female winner, Rudo Mhonderwa (Zimbabwe) ran a brilliant race leading from start to finish crossing the line in 01:16:30 two minutes and thirty-eight seconds clear from Mamorallo Tjoka (Lesotho) with Patience Murowe, who came third in 01:20:04. Elana Meyer is still holding the course record of 01:12:19 – 1999.

The Community of Ba-Phalaborwa came in numbers to support and cheer the runners and were entertained by local community groups which include the Kofifi and traditional dancers. This unique, charity focused race started at 07H00 with the employees and contractors relay race, the F5 was launched last year for primary schools from 6 to 15 years, which is meant to motivate young runners at an early age and increase their level of physical activity, and the F10 development race started at 11H00 which caters for learners above 15 years and it is also open to adults that wanted to walk.

In mitigation against the Phalaborwa weather, runners were hydrated at every 3 kilometre water point up to 18 kilometre, another water point was added at 19.5 kilometre with the anticipated hot weather on the day and there were enthusiastic and cheerful crowds on the route as a way of motivating the runners. It is exciting to note that the F21 Half Marathon had more than one thousand runners from all over the country.

The race was originally conceived with the local community in mind hence the local hawkers and businesses in general and most importantly the economy of Ba-Phalaborwa was given the necessary boost. The F21 Half Marathon is an initiative from Foskor to uplift the communities in which we operate and assist government bodies to further build South Africa as a sporting nation.

The total number of entries through our records is 1028 athletes and the finishers at cut off time was 819. The schools entered the race competition and the winning school with most entries was Mabine Primary School with 320 entries and Majeje High School with 27 entries. Each School received a Computer and a printer. Foskor donated sanitary pads to all the nine schools who entered the 5 and 10 KM races, the purpose to donate sanitary pads to schools were created to reduce the rate of absenteeism and create a conducive learning environment for young girls.

The event was hosted under the joint banner of the Phalaborwa Road Runners and Foskor Athletics clubs and all entry fees raised were shared between the two clubs with each club receiving a cheque of R20 000.00.

The total prize money for the race is R210,200 with a potential R 42 200 bonus for breaking the record. The record is still standing at 1:01:55 by Ezael Thlobo in 1997 and Elana Meyer 01:12:19 in 1999.

Results of the F21 Marathon 2017​

Foskor committed to upholding high standards of safety throughout the event. Our critical stakeholders and partners, the Department of Roads & Transport Limpopo, the SAPS, Makhushane Community Policing Forum Emergency Medical Services, Mopani Emergency Services and Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality have made sure that all necessary mitigation measures were put in place.

The F21 Half Marathon will continue to be a major event in the Foskor annual calendar and we would like to thank all our existing sub-sponsors, Komatsu and LAC Crushers for their contribution and support. To Limpopo Athletics (LIMA), Phalaborwa Road Runners, Foskor Athletics Club and all other runners from all over the country, your tremendous support has seen the event expand. A Big thank you goes to all local companies for manning the water points and the community of Namakgale township and the greater Ba-Phalaborwa for creating a warm reception to all the visitors.

Special word of appreciation goes to all members of the organizing committee together with all their helpers and their families support during this demanding time.

The Foskor 21 half marathon is one of the company's sustainable development initiatives which the Foskor CEO/President confirmed that the event will be hosted every year and the next half marathon will be held on the 28^th of July 2018.​