/ 21 March 1999

NEW WINNER IN HARTBEESPOORT

BOTH of the last two years’ winners gave way to Mpakaletsa Sephali who took line honours in the Old Mutual Om-die-dam 50km around Hartebeespoort Dam on Saturday. Michael Mphotane repeated last year’s feat when he held off the course record holder Stemmer Lekoto to take second in 2:55,53. Lejkoto finished 39 seconds further back. The women’s race was exactly a predicted with Heleen Joubert cruising to victory in 3:30,48. She ended up more than seven minutes ahead of Liberty Life/Reebok team-matt Anne Chester. A distant third position went to Elmarie du Toit in 3:45,44. In the half marathon, Butiki Jantjies and Madeleen Otto were first across the line, clocking 66:05 and 85:46 respectively.