The fourth annual Jock of the Bushveld 4-in-1 Marathon was welcomed back with open arms on February 8 as hundreds of runners tackled the route from Mbombela to Barberton.

Organised for the first time in 2022 by the City of Mbombela Marathon Club, the Jock of the Bushveld race alternates its route every year. One year, runners race from Mbombela to Barberton, the next, they run in the opposite direction.

Both directions and versions of the route are very challenging and offer up their own unique set of challenges. But you could argue that running from Mbombela to Barberton is the tougher direction, as the final few kilometres to the finish line at Hoërskool Barberton are all uphill, making it a gruelling finish to an already tough run.

The full marathon started off near Van Rooyen Street on the R40 at 05:30, and the runners set off on their 42.2km run towards Barberton. After the first 5km, a clear leading peloton had emerged, and not long thereafter, the front runners simply expanded their lead.

It was abundantly clear though that nobody would be getting between South African runner and eventual winner, Bonginkosi Mavuso, and victory.

He distanced himself from the rest, and by the time he crossed the finish line, he had opened up a 10-minute gap between him and Kenyan runner, Andrew Biegon, in second place. Mavuso finished his marathon in a time of 02:23:22, while Biegon completed his in 02:33:21. Bella’s Athletics Club runner Msawenkodi Buthelezi finished third with a time of 02:34:01.

Sinothile Mthiyane (03:32:16) was the first woman over the line. Sibonginkosi Maseko (01:08:38) was the winner of the half-marathon, followed by Mancoba Nhlabatsi (01:11:01) and Ntuthuko Maseko (01:13:56). Rosaline Isaiah (01:28:30) was the women’s half-marathon winner.

In a time of 32:04, Prince Ndlovu was the overall winner of the 10km, while Zanele Sehohle was the women’s winner, finishing in 40:51.

> Photos: Blake Linder