Phalaborwa runners take on Two Oceans Marathon
Phalaborwa runners compete in the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, with mixed results and big dreams for Comrades.
PHALABORWA – Runners from Phalaborwa were among thousands who took part in the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town over the weekend.
Shikwambana finishes strong
Hitekani Shikwambana, a resident of Namakgale who represents the University of Limpopo Athletics, was one of the leading performers from the region.
The ultra-marathon covers a distance of 56km. Shikwambana completed the race in 04:05:39, finishing in 251st position overall.
Although it was a strong performance, it marked his slowest time at the Two Oceans Marathon, compared to last year’s 03:51:44.
Shikwambana, who ran under four hours last year, said he was disappointed with his result. He said he had hoped to earn a silver medal but explained that floods earlier in the year disrupted his training schedule.
He is now turning his focus to the Comrades Marathon, where he hopes to perform well.
Present Mongwe calls his participation a ‘dream come true’
Another promising runner, Present Mongwe of the SANDF Limpopo Athletics Club, also delivered a commendable run, finishing not far behind Shikwambana with a time of 04:24:42.
Mongwe described his participation in the Two Oceans Marathon as a dream come true. “I’m blessed to have taken part in this race,” he said.
However, he added that he was not satisfied with his time, he encountered severe cramps after the 42km mark, which significantly slowed his pace.
Mkhabele records personal best for PMC
PMC Athletics Club was represented by four runners from the mine.
Among them, Elvis Mkhabele recorded his personal best at the event, crossing the finish line in 06:14:42.
Mkhabele expressed satisfaction with his performance, despite missing his goal of finishing under six hours. He was pleased to have improved on last year’s time of approximately 06.30.00.
His next races include the Gazamed event on April 25 in Giyani, followed by the Comrades Marathon in June.
Two Oceans winners
In the elite category, the men’s race was won by Arthur Jantjies from the Northern Cape, who finished in 03:09:25, while Gerda Steyn claimed victory in the women’s race with a winning time of 03:27:43.
