Kipchirchir, Silale shatter course records at Carnival City Marathon

Kenyan Julius Kipchirchir and Wattville’s Christina Silale delivered standout performances to rewrite the record books at the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon in Brakpan on Workers’ Day (May 1), braving wet and cloudy conditions.

Kipchirchir obliterated Lesiba Mmotlana’s previous mark of 2:52:58 by a massive 26:10, storming to victory in 2:26:47. Silale, representing Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC), was equally impressive, slicing 35:15 off Alexandra Harris’ inaugural women’s record of 3:38:58 to win in 3:03:43.

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Men’s race

Despite heavy overnight rain and a light drizzle at the start, the elite field wasted no time asserting itself, setting a brisk early pace.

A tightly packed lead group featuring Waterfall AC’s Thabo Masina, Bright Mikolongwe – recently returned to Benoni Northerns – Lesotho’s Kopano Muso, Entsika’s Philani Nkomo and Kipchirchir remained locked together through halfway.

But the race began to shift after the 36km mark.

Kipchirchir surged decisively, breaking clear as Masina and Muso faded. While the early pace took its toll on the rest of the field over the two-lap course, the Kenyan ran with control and precision, opening up a commanding lead.

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He entered Carnival City Gardens unchallenged, crossing the line in 2:26:47 to secure his second successive marathon victory in South Africa, following his triumph at the Vaal Triangle Marathon just five days earlier.

BAC’s Paul Kasu produced a strong run to claim second in a personal best 2:30:04, finishing 3:17 behind, while Mbongeni Phakamani Ximba completed the podium 50 seconds later.

Women’s race

Silale continued her rich vein of form, using the race as part of her build-up to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and Comrades Marathon.

Fresh off her victory at the Actom Power Marathon in Germiston less than a week earlier, she delivered another commanding performance.

Paced by her coach, David Gamede and facing a relatively modest field, Silale stuck to her race plan from the outset. She took control by halfway and never looked back, steadily extending her lead.

In a symbolic finish, she crossed the line side-by-side with Gamede, stopping the clock at 3:03:43 to set a new course record.

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Gillian Farquharson (Run Zone) finished a distant second, 16:49 behind, while Meyerton AC’s Samantha Prokopiou secured third in 3:22:10.

Other results

Sakhile Sangweni claimed the men’s half-marathon title, getting the better of defending champion Kabelo Mwahla in a competitive contest.

Sangweni clocked a new course record 1:09:35 for victory, with defending champion Mwahla finishing one minute behind. Kenyan Albert Kangor completed the podium in 1:12:43.

In the women’s half-marathon, Thubaelihle Nkomo took top honours in 1:38:25, holding off veteran Lettie Seabela of SAPS AC, who finished 1:05 later. Benoni Northerns’ Thuli Mbatha was third in 1:42:27.

Modupe Tladi continued his winning streak in the 10km, following up his Vaal Triangle Marathon success with victory in 32:24. Ngoako Motabo finished 34 seconds back in second, with Sandile Lawuthi third, a further 39 seconds adrift.

The women’s 10km delivered a dramatic finish, with Dineo Mmusi edging Brakpan’s Megan-Ann Roberts in 40:56 after Roberts briefly slowed at a timing mat just metres before the finish.

Roberts crossed four seconds later, while Boxer’s Andile Manzi took third in 41:16.

Omphile Mathobela (19:32) and Beauty Tshwane (29:21) claimed victories in the 5km fun run.