Samuel Mathabatha of Bella’s Athletics Club did the Lowveld proud by winning the 2023 TRAC N4 Elands Marathon on Saturday.
He crossed the finish line in 02:17:14, just 18 seconds ahead Derrick Masango of Harambe 2040.
The two had led from early in the race, and it was clear from 21km that one would be the victor. Mathabatha was stronger over the last 10km and earned a hard-fought victory.
Charles Sosa of Nedbank was third in 02:21:40.
The women’s race was won by Elizabeth Potter of 32Gi in a time of 02:58:20. She was in a class of her own and at the halfway mark, barring injury, the win was hers.
Remarkably, she was the 30th runner to finish overall and ran in the 50-59 years category, winning that as well.
Second was Ramadimetja Babili of Ikhaya Lethu on 03:02:19.
K-Way’s Kirsten Nolan was third in 03:04:37.
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Bella’s made it a double with Prince Ndlovu winning the half-marathon in 01:04:19.
Mancoba Nhlabatsi of Uniwisp was second in 01:07:28, and Richard Mokoaledi of Bella’s third in 01:07:45.
Another Lowvelder, Nomoula Sithole of Lowmed, claimed victory in the women’s 21.1km race in 01:24:35.
Nedbank’s Tebogo Mokgosinyane was second in 01:26:04, and Wendy Msezane of SAPS third in 01:30:24.
Lowvelder won the best waterpoint trophy for the second consecutive year.
Other Lowvelders who obtained a top-three category position in the half-marathon:
Women
• Allison Blair (Lowmed): 3rd, 40-49 years – 01:45:58
• Sonne Odendaal (Lowmed): 1st, 50-59 years – 01:32:10
• Sherene Dreyer (Legogote Villagers): 2nd, 50-59 years – 01:45:50
• Madeleine Whitehair (Run/Walk for Life): 3rd, 50-59 years – 01:46:30
• Allison Hay (Lowmed): 1st, 60+ years – 01:42:21
• Isabel Pienaar (Lowmed): 3rd, 60+ years – 02:12:59.
Men
• Andile Vilakazi (Barberton Mine): 2nd, juniors – 01:14:50
• Matimu Benedict (Bush): 3rd, juniors – 02:12:22
• Richard Lukhuleni (Bella’s) 3rd, seniors – 01:07:24
• Maris Maiga (Bella’s): 2nd, 40-49 years – 01:18:00
• Sibisiso Vilane (Born to Win): 1st, 50-59 years – 01:27:47
• Paul le Hanie (Nelspruit): 1st, 60-69 years – 01:43:56.
Other Lowvelders who obtained a top-three category position in the marathon:
Men
• Lovers Hlatshwayo (Nedbank LVCC): 3rd, 40-49 years – 02:30:07
• Makaleng Phophana (City of Mbombela): 2nd, 50-59 years – 02:57:58.
10km
Men
- 1.Abednico Mashaba (Uniwisp) – 30:55
- 2. Dylan Nortje (Social) – 31:55
- 3. Motlalepula Mathosla (LowMed) – 32:15.
Women - 1. Zanele Sehohle (Bella’s) – 41:25
- 2. Chantel Middel-Bovee (Run Walk for Life Nelspruit) – 44:08
- 3. Karina Pauer (Run Walk for Life Nelspruit) – 45:13.
- Photos: Mark Kinnear.
