uMhlanga’s Collett wins Sani Stagger
The win was encouraging for Lisa Collett, who came off a tough Bluff marathon last weekend and was a debutant on the gruelling run up and down Sani Pass.
CHARTWELL Drive resident and ultra-marathon star Lisa Collett raced to an emphatic victory in scorching heat to claim the women’s title at the Sani Stagger on Saturday morning.
Collett who recently returned from Croatia at the 100km world championships, was imperious as she cantered home to beat defending champion Natasha Malan by 25 minutes.
The win was encouraging for Collett, who came off a tough Bluff Marathon last weekend and was a debutant on the gruelling run up and down Sani Pass.
“It was tough but really beautiful,” she said. “I was worried that having done a tough marathon six days ago it might come back and bite me, but I really enjoyed the stagger today, maybe using a different group of muscles.
Related news: Lisa stars in SA 100km World Champs success
“I couldn’t get to the top before the 21km race started so I had to plough through them on the way up and then plough through them again on the way down,” she added.
She added that the camaraderie between the members of the South African team to the 100km world championships had made the run special for her.
“It was so nice being back together with Bongmusa Mthembu (who won the men’s race) and Nkosinathi (Duma). I haven’t seen them since we got back from overseas. We have special nicknames for each other and because it was an up-and-down race we were screaming support to each other,” she added.
The 21km half marathon, raced from the top of Sani Pass down to the Premier Resort Sani Pass Hotel was convincingly won by Solicitor Manduwa, with Lovemore Chabata and Minenhle Ngcobo distant second and third respectively.
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
