Local sport

Local runners impress at Dolphin Coast Marathon as SA athletes dominate

More than 5 000 runners hit the road for the Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Marathon, with South Africans sweeping the podium across all race categories.

March 19, 2025
Kaylan Geekie 2 minutes read
Sisters in arms: Robyn Marè (Hillcrest Villagers AC), Kate Howitz (Getfit SA) and Debbie Friis (Westville AC) all cross together.

More than 5 000 eager runners turned out for the 2025 Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Marathon on Sunday morning.

The competitors raced over 42.2km (full marathon), 21km (half marathon), and 10km distances, with the marathon starting at Ballito Lifestyle Centre at 5am and finishing at Snake Park on Durban’s beachfront.

South African runners won all three men’s and women’s race categories, a change from last year’s international domination.

Marathon Champions

Adam Lipschitz and Gaby Webber from the Social Runners Club in Umhlanga Rocks took home marathon gold on Sunday.

Adam Lipschitz won the Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Men’s Marathon, cruising to victory in a time of 2:20.25 to take home the gold medal: Photo: Balwin Properties.
  • Lipschitz coasted to victory in a time of 2:20:25. He ran the marathon as training for the London Marathon in six weeks’ time and will head to the World Championships in Japan in September.

“It was cruise-control for me. I wanted to do a 2:20 time and I did. I ran the first 30km at a controlled pace and I caught the leader near Durban North,” said Lipschitz.

  • The race for second and third place was closely contested, as Proud Chauke (Pan African Resources Club) claimed silver in 2:22:21, just 40 seconds ahead of Ncedisani Phungula (Nedbank Running Club KZN).

 

Proud Chauke (Pan African Resources Club) claimed silver in a time of 2:22.21.
Ncedisani Phungula (Nedbank Running Club KZN) finished third with a time of 2:23.01.
  • Webber won the women’s marathon with a sub-three-hour run of 2:58:34.
Gaby Webber won the 2025 Balwin Sports Dolphin Coast Women’s Marathon with a sub three-hour run (2:58.34).

“The race was phenomenal! It wasn’t too hot and we had a tailwind behind us,” said Webber.

  • Janie Grundling (Peak AC KZN) finished second in 3:02:19, while Melissa Gelling (Faku Chiefs AC) took third in 3:05:36.
Janie Grundling (2nd) celebrates with Gaby Weber (1st). Photo: Balwin Properties.

Half Marathon & 10km Winners

  • Men’s Half Marathon: Sphamandla Nkosi (Entsika AC) edged out Lesotho’s Letlatsa Nape (Maxed Elite KZN) by just 13 seconds, winning in 1:04:35.
  • Women’s Half Marathon: Banele Mabizela (Black Diamond AC) secured gold in 1:20:57, followed by Carla van Huyssteen (Hilton Harriers) in 1:22:49.
  • 10km Winners: Siyabonga Ndlovu (Xcel Running Club) and Bathobile Mkhize claimed top spots.

Top Local Runners

  • Giovanni Bianco (Dolphin Coast Striders) finished 8th overall in 2:27:29.
  • Louise McLeod (Dolphin Coast Striders) finished 43rd in 3:52:03.

Race Director’s Praise

Dolphin Coast Marathon race director Barry Holland was thrilled with the success of the event:

“Our volunteers and water stations are world-class. I want to thank all 175 Dolphin Coast Striders for their enormous hard work and effort,” he said.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.
March 19, 2025
Kaylan Geekie 2 minutes read

Kabelo Pheeloane

Kabelo Pheeloane is a seasoned digital professional with over ten years of experience in social media management, content creation, and paid media across various industries. Currently serving as the Digital Coordinator at The North Coast Courier.
Back to top button