Fast running at Dolphin Coast Marathon

The winner of the Dolphin Coast Marathon’s 21km race, completed the run in an almost unbelievable 1:04.39 on July 3.

Sboniso Sikhakhane’s (Phantane Athletics Club) per-km pace of 3.04 was faster than that of the men’s 10km winner.

The 10km also served as the KZN running championships final.

Given that most Dolphin Striders had volunteered to marshal and man water points, there were few locals among the podium finishers.

Ballito’s Gill Sieling (Murray & Roberts KZN Running) expertly carried the North Coast torch however, finishing fifth overall in the women’s 21km category and first in the women’s over-60 race with a blistering time of 1:30.29.

The marathon was won by Sonwabo Tshezi (Zakhele Athletics Club) and Lisa Collett (DHS Old Boys), while Sikhakhane and Janet Mbhele (XCEL Running Club) took the 21km golds.

Bonginkosi Zwane and Nwabisa Mjoli (both Phantane Athletics Club) were the first finishers in the 10km.

Runners took off from the Amphitheatre on the Durban promenade at North Beach, before heading out along the M4 towards the North Coast.

The marathon batch ran almost the entire way to Sibaya Casino and back, while the 21km and 10km participants ran to Durban North and the Umgeni River respectively.

“We were glad to have perfect weather and a return to a completely full field after Covid-19 restrictions were eased,” said Dolphin Coast Striders chairman, Arthur Bertram.

“The last time the marathon was held on March 15, 2019, we beat the first round of restrictions by just 10 hours, so our timing has been good!”

More than 5 000 runners turned out for this year’s event, with many of the marathon batch using it as a Comrades qualifier.

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