IT was all sweat, cramps, tears and blisters for athletes racing in the Tronox Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday morning at Addison Park, Empangeni, with Comrades qualifying times a big motivator.
More than 200 participants faced the start’s pistol in the event hosted by the uMhlathuze Athletics Club.
This was the last official sanctioned Comrades qualifier, which proved difficult for some athletes, ending their Comrades dream after failing to cross the line in under five hours.
Over 10 runners failed to qualify for the Comrades, with participants complaining about the heat and wind which made the route challenging.
But for those runners who have already qualified, this event was used strictly as a training run.
Results
21.1km walk
Men
1 Lindokuhle Ntombela 2:05:09, 2 Senzo Nhlenyama 2:06:40 and 3 Andile Ximba 2:30:02
Women
1 Thandeka Ntombela 2:50:26, 2 Zeta Muller 2:52:27 and 3 Desmay Bruinette 3:02:31
21.1km Run
Men
1 Nkosanathi Zungu 1:15:54, 2 Bernard Phalasane 1:16:51 and 3 Thulani Mdletshe 1:17:38
Women
1 Nomcebo Mthethwa 1:31:27, 2 Desiree Verwey 1:55:35 and 3 Therese Muller 1:56:20
42.2km Run
Men
1 Thelumusi Sibiya 2:38:23, 2 Dumisani Dlamini 2:49:57 and 3 Mduduzi Mazibuko 2:50:30
Women
1 Zethu Mnyandu 3:39:20, 2 Iris Ndlovu 3:42:26 and 3 Priscilla Dlamini 3:42:57
