THE Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has confirmed that an athlete has passed away after participating in this year’s Comrades Marathon that took place in Durban on Sunday, 9 June.
Sonnyboy Ngobeni, aged 55, ran for the University of Limpopo Running Club.
According to the club chairperson, Elias Maponya, Ngobeni finished the race in a good condition to earn a Robert Mtshali medal awarded to runners who complete the gruelling race in nine hours to sub-10 hours.
He then travelled home with a group of friends, from Durban to Polokwane by car the next day, where they dropped him off at his house on Monday evening, also in good condition.
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When Ngobeni failed to answer telephone calls on Tuesday morning, friends managed to eventually break into his house to find that he had passed away in his sleep.
CMA chairperson, Cheryl Winn said, “We are deeply saddened by the death of Mr Ngobeni. This was his second Comrades Marathon, at which he achieved his Comrades Back-to-Back medal. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and running club members.”
His funeral service will be held in Mamaila Village, Limpopo on Saturday, 22 June.
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