Runners brave sweltering heat

The Uniwisp 3-in-1 Fast Marathon, hosted by Nelspruit Marathon Club, stretched participants’ endurance to the max. The route wasn’t very challenging and quite similar to that of the Rudamans Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Marathon which usually takes place in November. However, it was blazing hot. In fact, many marathon runners decided to rather opt for only 21,1 kilometres on hearing that the mercury would rise into the high 30s.

The race was formerly known as the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) Fast 3-in-1 and has been a fixture on the Lowveld racing calendar as far back as 1981 when it was known as the Nashua 3-in-1. PWC withdrew as a sponsor last year and the race was cancelled. Having been hosted under a new name this year, it is relatively unknown and that is probably why fewer people participated compared to the 4 200 athletes who ran the Kaapsehoop race.

The route stretched along the R37 towards Sabie. Those participating in the half-marathon who left in the first Buscor bus for the starting point, were getting nervous when they realised en route that the trip seemed way longer than 21,1 kilometres. Fortunately a vigilant member of LVCC Nedbank realised that the driver had missed the stop – having travelled almost 30 kilometres – and assisted him in safely turning the bus around and taking athletes back to the starting point.

Participants in the standard marathon took off at 06:00, with participants in the half-marathon and 10-kilometre leg of the race at 06:30. With significant less athletes partaking, they were off to quite a fast start as it was not that crowded.

The route was well balanced with various uphills and downhills, and the scenery, breathtaking.

Water points were a feast for the eyes, with goodies such as banana bread and doughnuts on offer to fuel runners. Graham Malinga from Brooks Marathon Club came dashing past half-marathon participants battling along the 14-kilometre mark, making marathon running look like an absolute breeze. He completed it in two hours, 22 minutes and 12 seconds.

Japie Jele from Nkangala came in second – six minutes and five seconds slower than Malinga.

Linah Mhlongo from Eskom Gijima was the first woman to win the marathon in a time of three hours, 22 minutes and 16 seconds.

Collin Khoza won the half-marathon in a time of one hour, six minutes and 43 seconds.

Nontokoso Dlamini from Nedbank LVCC was the first woman to cross the finish line in one hour, 24 minutes and 35 seconds, improving her winning time at the Kaapsehoop race which was one hour, 25 minutes and 38 seconds.

Mandla Nkabinde from Nkanala won the 10-kilometre leg in 30:52 and Sibongile Mlombo from Nedbank LVCC was the first woman to complete it in 47 minutes and 46 seconds.

Results
Men 42 kilometres
• Open – Graham Malinga – 2:22:12
• Veteran – Hennie Espach – 2:56:29
• Master – Isaac Moetsloa – 2:49:16
• Grand master – Arthur Valasis – 3:43:14.

Women 42 kilometres
• Open – Elsa de Beer – Nedbank LVCC – 3:26:27
• Veteran – Lina Mhlongo – 3:14:03
• Master – Barbara Christi Hare – 3:56:15
• Grand master – Patricia Shaw – 4:31:26.

Men 21 kilometres
• Open – Collin Khoza – 01:06:43
• Veteran: Simon Sibisi – 01:13:14
• Master – Hennie Naude – 01:41:20
• Grand master – Isaac Manyike – 01:45:18.

Women 21 kilometres
• Open – Nontokoso Dlamini – 01:24:35
• Veteran – Marinda Venter – 01:49:52
• Master – Rhoda Berry – 01:55:22
• Grand master – Joey Gotkin – 02:14:13.

Men 10 kilometres
• Open – Mandla Nkabinde – 30:52
• Veteran – Elvy Oswald – 43:10
• Master – Phillip van Rooyen – 39:44
• Grand master – Ian Steenkamp – 52:19
• Great grand master – André Vianello – 01:03:08.

Women 10 kilometres
• Open – Naralie Grobler 52:10
• Veteran – Sibongile Mlombo – 47:46
• Master – Zyta Dietz – 55:31
• Grand master – Jenny Robertshaw – 01:03:27
• Great-grand master – Anna Fakud – 01:37:08.