Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 94, May 2017 | Page 31

Race Advertorial Ma A ROUND THE DAM WE WENT The hugely popular Old Mutual Om Die Dam 50km, Half Marathon, 10km and 5km event took place on 18 March around the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province. Once again catering for all levels of athletic experience and fitness, the event produced some great imagery, including pics sent in by Modern Athlete readers. T he 27 th running of the Om Die Dam can indisputably be called the biggest edition of the race, as this was the first year that entries for SA’s largest inland ultra-marathon sold out, while the shorter distances on offer also posted significant increases in entries. That saw the 50km welcome home 3678 finishers, a huge increase from last year’s 2830, while 1984 runners finished the half, 887 ran the 10km and a further 1350 did the 5km fun run. Excellent times were run, with Zimbabwean Collin Parura (Nedbank) clocking 2:53:54 to beat former winner here and 2016 runner-up Ludwick Mamabolo, Pacesetter Mindlo Mdhluli Leading women Jeanne also of Nedbank, by nearly three minutes. Another notable finisher was three-time Two Oceans champ Marko Mambo coming home sixth and first veteran. In the women’s ultra, KPMG’s defending champion Caroline Wöstmann successfully defended her title, coming home in 3:29:47, with current Comrades Champ Charné Bosman (Nedbank) nearly five minutes further back in second place. The Half Marathon titles went to Obed Kopong in 1:10:50 and Andronica Mokgotla in 1:26:40 – both were running for Nedbank – while the 10km titles were claimed by Desmond Mokgobu (Boxer) in 30:49 and Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank) in 36:37. Janeane Watt Annelize Floor & son Rikus Mohlapa Mogowe Pacesetter Shahieda Thungo Lisa Mckenzie Shadrack Sigama and Nthambeleni Rampeiwa 31