Runners make their way through Kloof
Three South Africans claimed the top spots in this year’s down run marathon.
THE country is swelling with pride as three South Africans nabbed the top spots in this year’s Comrades Marathon.
This year’s winner, David Gatebe, shattered the down run record with his astonishing time of 5:18:19. The previous record was set by Russian athlete, Leonid Shvetsov, at 5:24:05. Gatebe was followed by Ludwick Mamabolo at 5:24:05, while Bongmusa Mthembu claimed the third spot with a time of 5:26.39.
South African, Charné Bosman, won the women’s Comrades Marathon in a time of 6:25:55. Bosman beat defending champion, Caroline Wostmann (6:30:44), in the final two kilometres and powered through to a breakthrough victory. Kasja Berg of Sweden claimed third place in a time of 6:39:04.
Millions of South Africans showed their support for the Comrades Marathon, which has become an important, unmissable and iconic tradition. Families, friends and colleagues made plans to support competitors, getting up at the crack of dawn, packing picnic baskets, deck chairs and umbrellas and donning their supporter outfits to stake out at official spectator zones and roadsides to provide encouragement to runners as they took on this immense challenge.
