Cool runnings at Dolphin Coast marathon

The Dolphin Coast Balwin Properties Marathon drew almost 6 000 runners to the friendliest Comrades qualifier available.

Held in Durban this year as a result of the still damaged M4 bridge, perfect conditions greeted runners who took on a full marathon, 21.1km or 10km race.

Balwin Properties took over sponsorship of the race, which saw the marathoners run from the Durban promenade along the M4 to Sibaya and back.

Calm, but hot conditions certainly made the entrants grateful for the early start which saw most finish before 10am.

Given it was hosted by the Dolphin Coast Striders, most North Coast runners were volunteering, but seven did run the marathon, six of whom finished within the Comrades qualifying time of 4hrs 50min.

Freddy Lampret was the best finisher with a time of 3:26.45, while local legends Warwick Taylor and Belinda Skinner – who have 47 Comrades between them – ran a popular sub-4:50 bus for less experienced runners.

Unsurprisingly, given their combined histories with marathons, they timed it perfectly, both finishing in 4:49.19 to ensure qualification for anyone who followed them.

Elsewhere, James Gillis finished ninth in his over-50 age category in the 10km with a time of 55:58, while Kerry Daniel completed the 21.1km.

The overall marathon winner was Mthokozisi Mazibuko (XCEL Runners) who ran a blistering 2:30.36, while Alice Timbilili (Nedbank Running Club) won the women’s category in 2:52.21.

Sinethemba Tshangase (Nedbank) won the 21.1km with a 1:04.54, while Fikile Mbuthuma (Nedbank) took gold in the women’s race, clocking 1:27.23.

Rounding out the gold medalists, Sipho Gift Mbanjwa (Phantane AC) finished top in the 10km in 29:48, with Busisiwe Chamane (Team Vitality) winning the women’s event in 37:20.

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