CHANGE a Life academy pair, Mthobisi Cele and Mpilo Zondi, reigned victorious at the gruelling 110km edition of the Non-Stop Dusi Canoe Marathon at the weekend.
The pair looked to be heading for a minor step on the podium as FNB Dusi star Sbonelo Khwela and Banetse Nkhoesa and Nhlanhla Cele fought it out at the front of the race.
That chance came at Mango Rapid where they were able to get past the leading K2 crew of Banetse and Nhlanhla. With adrenaline surging through their veins, they powered on and caught Sbonelo, who was battling with a leaking kayak. They cruised over the finish line at Blue Lagoon for a historic win.
The race was to test paddlers as they were expected to paddle 70km and run more than 40km in temperatures that nudged 40 degrees celcius in the valleys.
“The guys caught me at the N2 bridge because I had a huge crack down the bottom of my boat so I had to get out and keep emptying it,” said Sbonelo. “When they caught me I knew that I couldn’t stay with them. I was taking on water and I didn’t have any power left in my body to try and keep up the pace.”
Overall
1. Mthobisi Cele and Mpilo Zondi (U23) 8:57.17.
2. Sbonelo Khwela 9:02.28.
3. Banetse Nkhoesa and Nhlanhla Cele 9:18.28.
4. Carl Folscher and Adrian Boros (HUN) 9:31.29.
5. Sboniso Shozi (U23) 9:38.31.
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