Some 135 athletes completed the scenic Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains Marathon from the Bulembu Border Post to Barberton on Saturday, September 13.

The event also included a half-marathon, a 10km race and a fun run, and was superbly organised by Bella’s Athletics Club.

Bonginkosi Mavuso of Nedbank Running Club won the men’s marathon in a time of 02:25:59.

Boaz Kasar Kiptarit led at the halfway mark in 01:15:26, with Musawenkosi Buthelezi of Bella’s second in 01:15:37 and Mavuso third. Only one second separated Mavuso and Buthelezi at the 21.1km split, but Mavuso pulled away from the Bella’s athlete and overtook Kiptarit in the second half of the race to claim victory.

Buthelezi finished second in 02:30:14, with Bella’s Samuel Mathabatha finishing third in 02:30:42.

Kiptarit finished fourth overall and won the junior category in 02:34:26.

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Kenyan Elizabeth Chemweno was unbeatable in the women’s 42.2km race. She took the lead early in the marathon and kept it right until the finish line. The Nedbank Running Club runner clocked 03:08:09. She was also the winner of the 40 to 49 years category.

Elizabeth Potter of Boxer Athletics Club claimed second place overall and first in the 50 to 59 years category in 03:23:42.

Nedbank’s Rebecca Nakuwa, also a Kenyan, was third in 03:26:56. She also claimed second place in the 40 to 49 years category.

The first Lowveld athlete across the finish line was Bella’s Segwana Tladi, who finished fourth in 03:39:20.

Stuart ‘The Running Mann’ Mann, well-known marathon blogger, had nothing but praise for the Barberton Mkhonjwa Marathon. He has completed 287 marathons. Finishing in 05:03:47, he posted on Facebook: “What an absolutely marvelous marathon. Run from the Eswatini border to Barberton Rugby Club, we got tons of hills, loads of stunning views and first-class service from Bella’s Athletics Club from start to finish. This is definitely a top 10 marathon in SA contender.”

Some 137 runners completed the half-marathon, 313 the 10km race and 109 the fun run.

Category winners
42.2km
• Junior male: Boaz Kasar Kiptarit – 02:34:26
• Senior male: Bonginkosi Mavuso – 02:25:59
• 40-49 male: Nthuthuko Maseko – 02:39:14
• 50-59 male: Lucas Mahlangu – 03:19:48
• 60+ male: Jerry Maseko – 03:43:07
• Senior female: Segwana Tladi – 03:39:20
• 40-49 female: Elizabeth Chemweno – 03:08:09
• 50-59 female: Elizabeth Potter – 03:23:42.
21.1km
• Junior male: Lesedi Morudi – 01:22:36
• Senior male: Tebogo Pulusa – 01:06:11
• 40-49 male: Graham Malinga – 01:22:29
• 50-59 male: Jerry Ntimba – 01:35:37
• 60+ male: Jasper van Zyl – 02:10:16
• Walker male: Lindokuhle Ngema – 02:30:17
• Junior female: Fortune Nkosi – 02:12:41
• Senior female: Florence Nyaingiri – 01:25:57
• 40-49 female: Eunice Nhlapho – 01:33:25
• 50-59 female: Madeleine Whitehair – 01:43;53
• 60+ female: Catherine Dibakoane – 02:41:57
• Walker female: Kate Hullett – 02:20:38.