Runners ‘power’ ahead in Sardine Marathon
The race route took runners through the towns of Uvongo, Margate and Ramsgate.
THERE was fantastic weather – and turnout – for the Powerade Sardine Marathon last Sunday.
The organisers (members of South Coast Striders) were stunned to see runners arriving in their droves.
Club chairman Debbie Ridley explained that the club has taken a risk of sorts in introducing a marathon into the race as an option this year.
“We allowed a generous cut-off time to allow runners who would not normally have ventured into the marathon distance to give it a try,” she said.
While some may have worried that it would deter runners, in fact the opposite happened.
“We were overwhelmed by the response. We were hoping to get 30 to 50 marathon runners, but ended up with 82 finishers, and attracted runners from as far afield as Johannesburg and Grahamstown,” she said.
She is optimistic about the future of the race, and believed it could only get bigger and better.
“It doubled as a Comrades qualifier and, in effect, became the first one on the calendar. We believe this can become a big drawcard for the South Coast, especially as it falls within the school holidays,” said Debbie.
Michael Mzobe, in his debut marathon, was the best of the Striders runners, finishing second in 2:38 behind Emmanuel Kiplimo Birgen in the 42km race.
Most of the Striders were roped in to help, but some were given special permission to run.
In the men’s age group category 50-59, the best master athlete was Mfundiso Mvunguse who led the pack in a time of 3:15, beating the second placed athlete in this category by an hour and a half.
The club is hoping to hold a 48km ultra marathon on May 3 next year if adequate sponsorship can be obtained.
This will be one of the last Comrades qualifiers on the calendar and, with a generous six hour qualifying time, will attract a lot of runners who had not been able to qualify up until then.
“It will also double up as an ultra for training and, as an ultra, it will also attract a lot of people as there are very few ultras in the province,” said Debbie.
“The success of our Powerade Sardine Marathon bodes well for hosting this marathon as it shows that people will travel to come and run here, and that we as a club have the ability to hold such an event,” she added.
She thanked the sponsors, her hard-working committee and those who helped on the day.
There were 180 walkers/runners in the 5km event, 125 in the 10km event, 363 runners in the 21km event and 84 runners (two did not finish) in the 42km event.
Results:
5km: 1 Thomas Russell 00:20:27; 2 Zolanie Mangaliso 00:21:03; 3 Amber Schlebusch 00:21:35.
10 km: 1 Dylan van der Merwe 00:31:00; 2 Siboniso Mdletshe 00:35:43; Sinovuyo Nkasa 00:38:27.
21km: 1 Joseph Munywoki 01:14:27; 2 Bernard Phalatsane 01:14:37; 3 Sithulisiwe Zhou 01:18:04.
42km: 1 Emmanuel Kiplimo Birgen 02:29:46; 2 Michael Mzobe 02:38:37; 3 Mthembeni Nzama 02:40:14.
