Athletes gathered at Mbombela Stadium this morning (November 11) to pay tribute to Antonie van Zijl who died during the Tswelopele Kaapsehoop 4-in-1 Marathon on Saturday (November 7). 

He was running alongside his wife, Danushca, and had completed more than 16km of the 21km course before he collapsed and died just kilometres from the finish line. 

His exact cause of death has not yet been determined. 

RaceTec timing records confirm that he passed the 10km split in 01:41:39 and reached the 16km checkpoint at 02:27:52. 

Athletes retrace final steps 

Lowvelder reported that runners gathered at Mbombela Stadium at 05:00 and walked together to the place where Van Zijl took his final steps.  

At the site, athletes paused for a moment of prayer, laid flowers and paid their respects to Van Zijl and his family. 

Runners sang a farewell song to Van Zijl during the memorial run while a cross was planted in his memory. 

Danushca received his half-marathon medal during the memorial run. 

In a show of solidarity, Tswelopele Funerals offered full funeral services free of charge. 

The Nelspruit Marathon Club expressed its gratitude to the Van Zijl family for allowing the community to honour him, as well as to Tswelopele Funerals, iSecure and all stakeholders for stepping forward during this difficult time. 

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