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Khumalo king of Sani Stagger once again

This was his second win in four attempts at the gruelling battle up and down the pass that links Lesotho to South Africa was a key part of his annual training routine.

2012 CHAMPION Prodigal Khumalo returned to the top step of the podium at the iconic Sani Stagger marathon after winning a hugely tactical duel up to top of Sani Pass and back to Premier Resort Sani Pass on Saturday.

His second win in four attempts at the gruelling battle up and down the pass that links Lesotho to South Africa was a key part of his annual training routine.

“This is an important part of my training for the Comrades marathon,”‘ he said after completing the win in tough, hot weather conditions.

The Zimbabwean-born star added that he spends several weeks at altitude training with his team mates in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg.

“It is a different ball game, and it is very technical running. The guys at the front were really pushing at the start. Mosoeunyana Morapalla went out very hard at the front. He is from Lesotho so he is used to this altitude. I decided to back-off and then catch the guys on the way down,” said Khumalo.

He was thrilled to see his young protégée Nkhosi Mhlakwana finishing in second, some two minutes behind his coach, with Morapalla wrapping up the last spot on the podium.

Veteran Thompson Magagane took fourth with local hopeful Philip Shezi having to settle for fifth.

The women’s marathon title fell to Julia Hackland in a 4:38 for the gruelling 42,2km outing, showing her trail running and endurance pedigree in the tough conditions.

In the 21,1km half marathon that started at the summit of the pass at 8:30am, Jeofrey Sisibo finally grabbed the title after finishing just off the podium last year, while Maria Bendana won the women’s title in an excellent sub-two hour time.

“This is a very famous race and one that you have to do if you live in South Africa,” said the veteran Bendana.

“It was really difficult on the first four or five kilometres on the descent,” she added. “The heat was the biggest challenge but there were beautiful views and it was really well organised,” she added.

On the trails a big field took to the 38km and 21km trail run options, enjoying the superb weather and fabled trails at the foot of Sani Pass.

A regular visitor to the Giants Cup trail events Tracey Zunkel won the women’s 38km event, and produced one of the day’s stand-out results by finishing fourth overall.

 

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