The 30th CSIR Road Race, hosted by the CSIR Sports Club, attracted over 1000 running enthusiasts to the CSIR Pretoria campus on the crisp morning of Saturday, 21 October 2023. There were 600 21km finishers, 799 10km finishers and more 350 5km fun run participants. The full results are available here. The highly anticipated race proved to be a thrilling running experience, bringing together athletes, volunteers and spectators from across the country to witness and embark on a challenging yet incredible adventure. The day’s favourable weather, combined with an electric atmosphere of excitement and Pretoria’s beautiful scenery, set an ideal stage for a memorable experience.
“I really love this race; I have been participating every year since 2016 and genuinely appreciate the route. It features beautiful hills that offer a challenge and a delightful experience,” says Thomas Ndlovu who was the male winner of the 10 km race.
This year’s race featured an impressive range of runners, each embodying the value of excellence. They not only sought victory but also aimed to reach their personal goals. Among them was Jonas Mathebula, the male winner for the 5 km race, who completed the race in an impressive 18 minutes. “My typical time is 20 minutes, but this time, I challenged myself to push harder and see what more I could achieve,” he proudly explains.
Stella Marais, the female winner of the 21 km race, highlighted the pivotal role of dedication and commitment as essential prerequisites for achieving success in a race, “Winning a race is always a great feeling, but it requires consistent effort. You must do something every day, even if it is just a short distance,” she says.
The CSIR Road Race was not just an individual’s pursuit to reaching their personal best; it was also an event that united people and embodied values of collaboration and people-centeredness. This sense of community was on full display during the event, thanks to the volunteers and spectators who cheerfully encouraged the runners along the route, providing them with water and unwavering support, enhancing to the spirit of community.
The race concluded with an award ceremony to celebrate the winners of the day. Let’s extend our heartfelt congratulations to the EPIC winners.