RUNNERS in the 90th Comrades Marathon have done South Africa proud with Gift Kelehe winning the men’s race and Caroline Wostmann winning the women’s race.
Kelehe took command of the race, after overtaking second-placed Ethiopian Mohammed Husien, finishing in a time of 5:38:35.
His older brother, Andrew won the race in 2001 and this is the first time that two brothers have won the Comrades.
The Nurgalieva twin sisters, Elena and Olesya achieved this the first time in 2007 when Olesya beat Elena by less than half a minute.
Two Oceans winner, Wostmann is the first South African woman to win in 16 years, completing the race in a time of 6:12:22.
She led another South African, Charne Bosman, who finished in front of Russia’s Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva who finished third and fourth respectively.
The first Zululander home was Bongani Mdletshe of the NRB Harriers Athletic Club who finished 6:40:16
Nkosinathi Zwane and Sandile Blose both of Mtubatuba Athletic Club finished second and third among the Zululanders in times of 7:04:49 and 7:22:55.
Fourth Zululander home was Bhekani Mhlongo of the Nongoma Rabbit Athletic Club in a time of 7:29:11.
In the women’s race the podium was dominated by Mtunzini Athletic Club with Jo Mackenzie, Lia Percival and Carla du Toit being the first three women home in times of 8:31:10, 8:37:56 and 8:54:05.
Iris Ndlovu of the NRB Harriers Athletic Club was the fourth Zululand finisher in a time of 8:55:21
Leader board (Top 5)
Men
1 Gift Kelehe (South Africa) 5:38:36
2 Mohammed Husien (Ethiopia) 5:46:14
3 Hatiwande Nyamande (South Africa) 5:48:19
4 Lebohang Monyele (Lesotho) 5:52:32
5 Teboho Sello (Lesotho) 5:54:03
Women
1 Caroline Wostmann (South Africa) 6:12:22
2 Charne Bosman (South Africa) 6:33:24
3 Elena Nurgalieva (Russia) 6:40:36
4 Olesya Nurgalieva (Russia) 6:41:18
5 Nina Podnebesnova (Russia) 6:41:48
