The ups and downs of the comrades marathon
Running in sunny weather with temperatures reaching the high 20 degrees, the slower runners had to contend with the heat, as well as the daunting hills lying in wait, including Polly Shortts
JUST over 17 000 athletes lined up at the Durban City Hall on Sunday morning to tackle the 86.73km in the 92nd Comrades Marathon.
Running in sunny weather with temperatures reaching the high 20 degrees, the slower runners had to contend with the heat, as well as the daunting hills lying in wait, including Polly Shortts.
The first male across the line at the Scottsville Race Track was Arthur Ford AC runner Bongmusa Mthembu in a time of 5:35:34.
He is no stranger to gold medals and won down race in 2014 and was third in 2016.
Zimbabwean Hatiwande Nyamande was second in 5:38:48 and Gift Kelehe finished in 5:41:48, 6:14minutes off the pace.
In the woman’s race, American Camille Herron beat the field in a time of 6:27:35.
She led from the start.
Second home was Alexandra Morozova from Russia in 6:31:45, 4:10 minutes behind Herron.
Charne Bosman, finishing third, was the first South African home in 6:39:51 and 12:17 minutes behind the winner.
How the top Zululand Clubs fared (first runner home per club)
Silver Medal
Ingwavuma District AC – Dumsani Dlamini (6:17:52)
NRB Harriers – Sfiso Chili (6:49:45)
Mandeni Harriers – Jabulani Edward Mabaso (6:57:54)
Mtubatuba AC – Nkosinathi Zwane (7:08:04)
Nquthu – Gerald Hapullang Khanye (7:27:52)
Bill Rowan Medal
Richards Bay AC – Melanie van Rooyen (7:35:45)
Pongola – Lizwi Mkhwanazi (7:43:15)
Ulundi – Patrick Sibusiso Sithole (7:53:09)
Nongoma Rabbit AC – Bhekani Mhlongo (8:04:12)
Mtunzini – James Kennedy (8:07:29)
uMhlathuze AC – Senzeko Sizwe Nxumalo (8:08:58)
KwaDukuza – Philani Walter Mkhize (8:26:27)
