A scenario that reflects all that marathons are about, played out at the Nelspruit Marathon Club Fast 3-in-1 on Saturday, March 22.
Both the 2025 men’s and women’s marathon winners had finished second in the 2024 edition of the race. Msawenkosi Buthelezi and Marelise Retief had unfinished business, and returned to the beautiful Lowveld to execute it.

The 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km races finished at Mbombela Stadium.

Buthelezi was not going to settle for a silver medal again this year and ran a strong second half to win the men’s marathon.

Buthelezi, who ran in the colours of Bella’s Athletic Club, and Sinobon Mzukelo of Sibanye Stillwater, matched each other over the first 21km. The Bella’s runner covered the first 21km in 01:12:15 to hold a 20-second lead over Mzukelo at the halfway point. Buthelezi hit 32km in 01:46:08 to extend his lead over Mzukelo to two minutes and two seconds.

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The Bella’s star flipped the afterburner switch to on over the final 12km to win in a time of 02:20:00. Mzukelo was second in 02:22:59. The winner’s clubmate, Samuel Mathabatha, was third in 02:25:16.

Marelise Retief was in a class of her own in the women’s marathon.

The Phobians member’s only remaining challenger at the 21km split was Chrizelle Roberts of Nedbank, who had finished third in 2024. Retief covered the first 21km in 01:31:35 and Roberts in 01:33:30.

By 33km Retief had left Roberts in her dust, clocking 02:17:24, and had a six minute, 56-second lead. She continued to pull away from Roberts and crossed the finish line in 03:01:46. Roberts took second place in 03:09:52.

Wendy Bosch of City of the Mbombela Marathon Club was third in 03:23:27, claiming the win in the 40+ category.

42.2km category winners
• 40+ men: Graham Malinga (Eskom) – 02:26:42
• 50+ men: Silas Mabuza (SAPS) – 03:14:23
• 60+ men: Natala Mathebula (Mazanzi) – 03:34:32
• 50+ women: Sanet Griesel (Nedbank) – 03:32:51
• 60+ women: Sandy Mclagan (Nedbank LVCC) – 04:29:37.
21.1km category winners
• Senior men: Abednico Mashaba (Uniwisp) – 01:06:34
• 40+ men: Jetro Sithole (Eskom) – 01:10:56
• 50+ men: Lucky Bhembe (Emahlaleni) – 01:17:36
• 60+ men: Hannes Twala (eMahlaleni) – 01:46:51
• Senior women: Nomvula Sithole (Uniwisp) – 01:3:25
• Junior women: Abigail Dollenberg (Nedbank LVCC) – 01:49:57
• 40+ women: Tlangelani Mthimkhulu (Bella’s) – 01:38:20
• 50+ women: Madeleine Whitehair (Nedbank LVCC) – 01:41:38
• 60+ women: Allison Hay (LowMed) – 01:48:05.
10km category winners
• Senior men: Sbonginkosi Maseko (Bella’s) – 00:30:28
• Junior men: Sfiso Manana (Barberton Mines) – 00:34:30
• 40+ men: Chad Dewer (Legogote) – 01:08:20
• 50+ men: Moris Maiga (Bella’s) – 00:33:30
• 60+ men: John Nkosi (Eskom) – 00:55:34
• 70+ men: Alwyn van Jaarsveld (LowMed) – 01:00:27
• Senior women: Zanele Sehohle (Uniwisp) – 00:39:03
• Junior women: Ava Oosthuizen (Bella’s) – 00:47:49
• 40+ women: Gina Scheferman – 00:44:38
• 50+ women: Linda de Bruyn – 00:57:25
• 60+ women: Pamela Hammond – 01:00:10
• 70+ women: Hester Steyn – 01:37:23.