Elizabeth Potter, a Winchester Hills athlete, finished first in the 55–59 age group to become the first and only South African champion at the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

The world championships were recently hosted by the City of Cape Town and were combined with the Cape Town Marathon. Congratulatory messages poured in from all directions for Elizabeth.

Her husband, Dean, said, “She is incredible.”

Tambotie Preparatory School, where she works, said, “We are so proud of you! You are a sterling example to our pupils and staff! Congratulations.”

Even the event’s Facebook page wrote: “What a feeling for Elizabeth Potter! South Africa’s first-ever Abbott WMM Marathon Tours and Travel Age Group World Championship winners! And on home soil too.”

Speaking to the Southern Courier/Comaro Chronicle, she said this was an incredible blessing and a moment she will treasure forever.

“Competing in the championship was an immense honour and a moment beyond anything I had ever imagined possible. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find myself participating in an international championship race alongside some of the world’s top athletes.

“The experience was both humbling and inspiring, and I exceeded my own expectations on the day. In fact, I was unaware that I was leading the race until the closing kilometres. With perfect weather conditions and a strong run from start to finish, everything came together beautifully on the road.

“To ultimately win my age category and claim the world championship title was an incredible blessing and a moment I will treasure forever,” she said.

Hard work pays off for Elizabeth

Since 2023, she has completed two Comrades Marathons in the times of 8:11 (up run 2024) and 7:34 (down run 2025). She has also won at least five more national titles in different disciplines.

In 2023, she won the SA title in the marathon (42.2km) as well as the SA title in the half-marathon (21.1km). Later on in the same year, she also bagged the SA 10km title and the SA Cross Country title in her age category.

In 2025, Elizabeth won the SA marathon title, the SA half marathon, the SA Cross Country title, and was a close runner-up in the SA 10km in her age category.

During the 2025 national marathon championship at the Peninsula Marathon, Elizabeth qualified to run in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships.

Her record is impressive

Competitive races:

• Completed 160

• First places – 122

• Second places – 20

• Third places – 10

• Fourth places – 4

• And four others.