Records tumble at Durban Marathon
The event also doubled as the Athletics South Africa Marathon Championship title.
THE Durban International Marathon once again lived up to its billing as one of the fastest races in the country with both men’s and women’s course records falling at this year’s edition on Sunday, April 28.
In the men’s race, Elroy Gelant rolled back the years to win in a time of 02:09:33, securing the coveted Athletics South Africa Marathon Championship title at the same time.
Fellow South African Mathews Leeto finished second while Stephen Mokoka claimed the bronze.
The trio broke away from the lead bunch at the 30km mark, jostling for control of the race as they strode alongside Durban’s Golden Mile.
Gelant, who ran in the colours of Athletics Central North West, seized the moment at the 36km mark as the course looped around the M4 Ruth First Highway towards the finish at People’s Park outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“At the 36km mark, I could feel, I still have a little bit. You know, if I can just stick behind Mathews, I can actually out-sprint him in the last three kilometres. I knew Stephen was maybe a bit tired from Two Oceans. So, I knew in terms of leg speed, I will probably have a little more. In the last few kilometres, I would say I could feel now that I’ve got it in the bag. It’s just really an honor and a blessing to win this race and become national champ,” Gelant said.
In the women’s race, Cian Oldknow looked in total control, breaking away at the 20km mark.
Oldknow, who has already qualified for the Paris Olympics, looked calm and composed as she crossed the line in a time of 02:29:46.
Not a bad day out for the Hollywoodbets Athletics Club athlete who said the national title means so much to her and her team.
“I really wanted to win the SA title today. It was a huge goal of mine. The only SA title I have is the Four Kilometre Cross Country. So, I really wanted something a bit bigger to my name,” Oldknow said. “The win, overall, was a huge win and bonus. I was really trying to get that, but I wasn’t sure what the international competition would be like today,” Oldknow added.
Zimbabwean Ethel Pangiso finished second while Ethiopian Amena Worke Degu came home in third place.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
