Marathon goes off ‘ultra’ smooth
It was a promising start for an event which should grow in the future.
THE Hibiscus Coast Ultra Marathon saw Harding runner Mzwenkosi Mjaja win – but only just.
He was pushed hard over the 48km and only really grabbed the lead with about 2km to go.
The 25 year-old, who is studying in Durban, said he was pleased to see a lot of traffic officers on the road.
It was his first win, and he was somewhat surprised. “I had been aiming for a top 10 so was happy with the win,” he said.
Seipati Peo won the women’s race by miles. The Soweto runner said she found the race tough, but enjoyable.
“There were too many hills,” she joked. “The Joburg air is much drier than on the coast, we had to get used to the humidity,” she said.
Seipati used the race to qualify for the Comrades Marathon. And she said she would definitely be back to defend her title next year!
South Coast Striders’ chairman Debbie Ridley said she was very pleased with the smooth running of the first ultra-marathon the coast has ever put on.
“We had a lot of very positive feedback including a comment from an RAC member who said it was one of the best marathons he has ever run,” she said.
She felt numbers were a bit lower than hoped for but was confident the race would really grow in popularity and become one of the biggest ultra-marathons in the province.
Debbie thanked all the club members who gave of their time to help on race day.
“Special mention must be made of the following who gave up lots of time in preparation for the race – Greg Ridley, Pardon Mathebula, Ronel Viljoen, Mary and Ted Morley, Isak Ludick, Piet Viljoen and Freek Stander,” she said.
The race started and finished at Southcity Christian College. All the sponsors were thanked.
OTHER NAMES TO COME
Results:
48km: 1 Mzwenkosi Mjaja 03:02:57; 2 Shingie Badza 03:03:33; 3 Lovemore Chabata 03:08:34; 4 Maxwell Mgwazi 03:10:28; 5 Nqamulela Gumede 03:13:23; 6 Michael Mzobe 03:20:14; 7 Sosibo Mbongeni 03:20:32; 8 Bhekithemba Nqoko 03:23:38; 9 Nyembezi Mavela 03:32:07; 10 Thamsanqa Qwabe 03:35:29
48km women: 1 Seipati Peo 03:57:32; 2 Zandile Dunywa 04:35:27; 3 Kim Jackson 04:52:15; 4 Hleziphi Ncayiyana 04:52:47; 5 Sindisiwe Jali 05:06:31; 6 Mariza van der Walt 05:06:57; 7 Heather Kappmeier 05:10:09; 8 Emma Watts 05:12:38; 9 Nontuthuko Mgabhi 05:31:26; 10 Kim Schoeman 05:35:02.
24km men: 1 Xolile Gcaba 01:35:44; 2 Nkosenhle Mhlongo 01:42:57; 3 Lindokuhle Ntombela 01:43:15; 4 Frederick Goodhead 01:50:51; 5 Mbongeni Ngeleka 01:53:07; 6 Sandile Mgedezi 01:53:51; 7 Sumesh Davendrian 01:54:39; 8 Daniel Francesconi 01:59:36; 9 Vivian Kiti Mkhize 02:01:53; 10 Roy Mlambo 02:02:20
24km women: 1 Debbie Thomas 02:02:47; 2 Nondumiso Ngcungama 02:07:11; 3 Yolandi Smit 02:20:23; 4 Ilka Perfect 02:28:53; 5 Sophia Paraze 02:29:22; 6 Zinnia Freitas 02:32:30; 7 Mary-Lou Schoeman02:36:08; 8 Lizel Steenekamp 02:44:06; 9 Talita Helberg 02:45:43; 10 Zoleka Dzelwa 02:47:38.
