The 2023 Tshwelopele Funerals Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Marathon men’s 42.2km race on Saturday was a thriller, with 14 breakaway athletes crossing the halfway point within five seconds of one another.

But it was Arthur Ford Running Club’s Thamsanqa Mthembu who was the strongest over the second 21km to take the win in 02:15:50.
Kenyan Denis Kipkosgei of Nedbank Running Club Limpopo was second in 02:17:03, and his fellow countryman, Cornelius Lagat, third in 02:17:26.

In the women’s race, Monicah Jepkorir from Kenya crossed the halfway mark in 01:24:16, just over 61 seconds ahead of Marelise Retief of Impala Marathon Club.

But Retief had paced herself well and hauled the Kenyan in to win in 02:56:00.

Jepkorir finished second in 02:56:54. Hollywood Athletics Club’s Melinda Jansen van Vuuren was third in 02:57:03.

The vision-impaired runner, Bidi Barrett of Coaldust Witbank, finished the men’s race in 1 529th place in 05:39:04.

A total of 2 426 runners completed the marathon.

In the 21.1km race for men, Masemola Given Makgoba was in fine form, winning the race in 01:02:42.

Ayanda Ncube of the Excel Running Club was second in 01:03:39, and Kemang Khunonyane of Rocky Road Runners third in 01:04:18.

In the women’s half-marathon, Lowveld Club athletes finished first and second.

Roselina Isaiah of Uniwisp claimed the win in 01:20:01, and LowMed’s Nomvula Sithole was second in 01:23:54.

Hollywood Athletics Club’s Melissa Jansen van Vuuren was third in 01:25:21.

A total of 1 409 athletes completed the 21.1km race.

The 10km event doubled as the 2023 South African 10km Championships.

The winner of the men’s race was South African 10km record holder (00:27:23) Precious Mashele. The Central Gauteng Athletics runner clocked 00:29:13.

His teammate, Chris Mhlanga, was second in 00:29:17. KwaZulu-Natal Athletics’s Siyabonga Ndlovu was third in a time of 00:29:25.

The women’s 10km race and South African 10km champion for 2023 was Glenrose Xaba of Athletics Gauteng North. Her time was 00:32:08.
Central Gauteng Athletics’s Cacisile Sosibo was second in 00:32:48, and Karabo Mailula of Athletics North Gauteng third in 00:34:13.

In the three races, 4 695 athletes crossed the finish line.

42.2km category winners
• 40-49 male: Jonas Makhele (Nedbank Running Club) – 02:21:38
• 50-59 male: Bongane Zwane (Team Vitality) 02:22:50
• 60-69 male: Linda Maphanga (Run/Walk for Life) – 03:13:42
• 70+ male: Vivian Augustine (Run Zone) – 03:46:55
• 40-49 female: Rosemary Brink (Irene Athletics Club) – 03:31:12
• 50-59 female: Madeleine Whitehair (Run/Walk for Life) – 03:35:35
• 60-69 female: Jill Grant (Fit2000) – 03:54:10
• 70+: Dot Hunt (Run Zone) – 04:41:30.
21.1km category winners
• Junior male: Andile Vilakazi (Barberton Mine) – 01:12:26
• 40-49 male: Renier Grobler (Murray & Roberts) – 01:09:44
• 50-59 male: Lazarus Seroka (Polokwane) – 01:20:55
• 60-69 male: Eric Venter (WRR) – 01:34:35
• 70+ male: Piet Britton (Medihelp Multisport) – 02:04:46
• Junior female: Mariette de Jager (AC Oosmoot) – 01:44:37
• 40-49 female: Nadia Groenewald (Greenstone Hill Running Club) – 01:35:46
• 50-59 female: Michelle Mee (Ekhaya AC) – 01:44:38
• 60-69 female: Mariet Geyer (Nedbank NG) 01:57:05
• 70+ female: Marietjie Olen (Alcelor) – 02:01:31
10km category winners
• Junior male: Zenzile Pheko (Central Gauteng Athletics) – 00:30:43
• Junior female: Wiepke Schoeman (Athletics Gauteng North) – 00:37:04
• 40-49 male: Rhirhandzu Rhangani (Central Gauteng Athletics) – 00:30:55
• 40-49 female: Hanlie Botha (Border Athletics) – 00:36:39
• 50-59 female: Elizabeth Botha (Central Gauteng Athletics) – 00:39:49
• 60-69 female: Hester Ferrezuelo (Border Athletics) – 00:46:17
• 70+ female: Margie Saunders (Eastern Province Athletics) – 00:47:01
• 50-59 male: Johannes Kekana (Central Gauteng Athletics) – 00:34:14
• 60-69 male: Desmond Zibi (Eastern Province Athletics) – 00:34:34
• 70+ male: David Maphangulo (Athletics Gauteng North) – 00:40:18
• Wheelchair male: Sister Maseko – 00:39:15.