Wostman wins Om Die Dam title

Caroline Wöstmann makes history.

Caroline Wöstmann became the first person to win the Old Mutual Two Oceans, Old Mutual Om die Dam, and Comrades ultra-marathons within 12 months.

She added the 26th Mutual Om die Dam ultra-marathon to her growing list of accolades in Hartbeespoort last weekend.

The 33-year-old Wöstmann posted a time of 3:38.38 to finish ahead of Julanie Basson in second place with 3:45.47.

Salome Cooper crossed the line in third place clocking 3:51.11.

Wöstmann is only the second woman after ultra-marathon legend Frith van der Merwe to have won all three titles.

She is, however, the first person to win all three ultras within a period of 12 months.

The women’s race took on an emotional theme as some athletes wore green ribbons in memory of six-time Om die Dam winner and defending champion Riana van Niekerk, who lost her battle against cancer in February.

In the men’s race, Comrades and Old Mutual Two Oceans gold medallist Fanie Matshipa won the grueling 50km race 2:59.32 followed by former Comrades winner Ludwick Mamabolo finished behind him in a time of 3:01.48.

Third was Khubulani Zondo shortly in 3:01.58.

Mamabolo took an early lead before Matshipa caught up with him two kilometres into the race with the eventual winner breaking away after eight kilometres.

Matshipa was overtaken by emotion as he looked comfortable on his way to victory which he said would hold him in good stead for this year’s Comrades Marathon.

The Old Mutual Om die Dam ultra-marathon once again proved to be one of the most popular races on the South African road-running calendar with close to 10 000 runners taking part in the 50km, 21km, 10km races and the 5km fun run.

Joel Mmone won the men’s half-marathon event in 1:06.40 beating defending champion Coolboy Ngamole, who finished second in 1:07.45.

Cathrine Skosana won the women’s half-marathon title for the second consecutive year with a time of 1:26.33.

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