Mikolongwe, Roberts triumph at BNAC Marathon
Both runners set new course records.
There was no competitor in sight when Nedbank’s Bright Mikolongwe and Chrizell Roberts shot up the finishing straight to win the men’s and women’s 48km ultra titles at the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) Marathon on April 13.
The event, sponsored by the Benoni City Times (BCT) and Meat World, saw over 5 000 runners line up outside the Benoni Northerns Sports Club, with many attempting to qualify for the Comrades Marathon.
Mikolongwe and Roberts produced exceptional performances, with the Malawian beating the 02:57:42 set by last year’s winner, Mziwonke Ngwendu, by 6:45, while Roberts smashed Nancy Barber’s 4:00:23 by over 20 minutes.
Men’s race
Debutant Mikolongwe, formerly with the BNAC, moved clear of two-time BNAC marathon winner Samuel Matsepe in the race’s second half.
Matsepe looked on course for victory until a stomach ailment slowed him down at the back end of the race. He ultimately had to take a short left to the loo, and that’s when Mikolongwe sensed his opportunity.
Describing his troubles, Matsepe said, “Everything was going according to plan until I developed a runny stomach. I went to the toilet and was okay afterwards, but it started again, and I had to drag myself to the finish in the last 12km.”
After a fast 01:13:34 first lap, Mikolongwe ran an almost identical split, finishing the second lap in 01:14:34 to arrive at the marathon mark in 02:28:08. He ran the remaining 6km in 22:49 to come home on his own in 02:50:57.
“It’s my first time running this course. I took it easy in the first half and started pushing in the second. I led from 32km to the finish. So, I’m satisfied with my performance,” he said.
Impala Platinum’s Matsepe, winner of the BNAC Marathon in 2023 and 2024, finished 3:07 off the pace after clocking 02:54:04, while veteran Kopano Muso claimed the last podium position in 02:56:56.
Women’s race
Roberts produced a sensational performance to obliterate Barber’s time by 20:27.
Aiming to finish under 03:40:00, the Nedbank RC athlete reached the first 21km in 01:34:36 and finished the second lap in 01:39:20. She arrived at the marathon point in 03:13:56 and ran the last 6km in a flat 26:00 to breast the tape in 03:39:56.
“It’s what I was hoping for. It was a difficult push in the last 6km going to the 42km mark, knowing everyone was finishing, but I’m happy. I set a time for myself to finish under 03:40:00. I achieved that, and can only be happy with that,” Roberts told the BCT.
Benoni resident Pamela Gwebu of Xcel AC crossed the line 7:26 after Roberts, while Hollywoodbets AC runner Elizabeth Douglas was third for the second successive year. She finished in a new PB 03:49:02, obliterating her 04:02:36 from last year’s race by 13:34.
Marathon
Mbongeleni Phakamani Ximba clinched the men’s 42.2km race in 02:29:30, while Cleolin Moripinya of Inkamana clocked 02:30:08 for second place. Jeremia Moshweti completed the top three in 02:34:24.
In the women’s race, Nedbank’s Ilse Marais clocked 03:19:25 for top honours, while Selinah Modiela finished 7:30 off the pace after crossing the line in 03:26:55. Wida de Klerk took the bronze 3:13 after Modiela.
Marais commended the race organisers, the BNAC, for a stellar job.
“It’s Comrades season, so we use these races to prepare. It was a lovely race and well-organised. All credit to the organisers.
“The water tables were fantastic. It’s a great route, and the race was well-attended. I enjoyed the whole vibe,” she said.
• The half-marathon, 10km and race-walking race reports to follow
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