Kenyan Eliud Biwott raced to victory in the Sedibeng Marathon in Vereeniging on Sunday when he held off Sikhumbuzo Seme to win by just over a minute with Sibeko Pule filling the third step of the podium.
The Kenyan Biwott, who raced around the one-lap course in a time of two hours 22 minutes and two seconds, finished 70 seconds clear of the versatile Seme, with Pule just over a minute further back in third.
Biwott proved he enjoys running in South Africa as crossed the finish line at the Vaal Showgrounds just 30 seconds outside his personal best for the 42.2km distance, a time of 2.21.31 he set in Mossel Bay in August this year.
In the women’s marathon Yolande Maclean cruised home in a time of three hours and seven seconds, more than two minutes clear of Lizzy Babili with Dikeledi Majara a distant third.
In the men’s half-marathon race Pheha Victor claimed the victory in a time of 1.16.17, with Joseph Ntoloane (1.17.29) and Lerogang Khenhobe (1.19.16) filling the minor placings, while Lebo Mofokeng (1.33.54) edged out Vangile Khambule (1.34.11) and Rebecca Mokgosinyane (1.34.23) in a tight battle for the women’s title in the 21.1km distance.
The 10km produced the closest struggle for victory with Jason Bowers crossing the line in 32.06, just five seconds clear of Thapelo Ramokhose with Alfred Matweba claiming third just over a minute further back.
Farida Zwane (40.16) was an easy winner of the women’s 10km with Lorette Pretorius (44.54) and Maswabi Lekhetho (46.35) second and third.
There were just under 2 000 entrants for the event with almost 1 000 of those taking part in the standard marathon event which is one of the final 2020 Comrades and Two Oceans qualifiers for the year.
465 runners, or almost exactly 50% of the entrants, dipped under the four hours 50 minutes required to qualify for the Comrades Marathon, while 536 finishers beat the five-hour mark needed to enter the Two Oceans.
Full results at results.FinishTime.co.za
42km
Men
1 Eliud Biwott 2.22.02
2 Sikhumbuzi Seme 2.23.12
3 Sibeko Pule 2.24.36
4 Thabo Motaung 2.26.16
5 Musa Nkosi 2.26.18
6 Nyedimane Chabeli 2.31.18
7 Peter Muthubi 2.31.41
8 Sifiso Ngcobo 2.33.58
9 Pfarelo Mathada 2.34.25
10 Zwelakhe Mkorwana 2.34.36
Women
1 Yolande Maclean 3.00.07
2 Lizzy Babili 3.02.11
3 Dikeledi Majara 3.11.03
4 Henrietta Phaladi 3.34.29
5 Thifhelimbilu Mudau 3.36.15
6 Marina Scholtz 3.41.08
7 Altah Mabhusu 3.44.00
8 Gwen Muller 3.45.29
9 Winile Misi 3.52.34
10 Natasha Gorrie 3.52.56
21km
Men
1 Pheha Victor 1.16.17
2 Joseph Ntoloane 1.17.29
3 Edwin Lerogang Khenhobe 1.19.16
4 Majake Hlabahlaba 1.20.24
5 Thabo Mashigo 1.20.46
6 Lebohang Mahloane 1.22.49
7 Tankiso Radebe 1.23.51
8 Kikai 1.25.31
9 Grant Johnson 1.25.35
10 Lutendo Mammburu 1.27.09
Women
1 Lebo Mofokeng 1.33.54
2 Vangile Khambule 1.34.11
3 Rebecca Mokgosinyane 1.34.23
4 Wida De Klerk 1.38.27
5 Welma Nkuna 1:41.01
6 Rose Jijana 1.42.05
7 Boipelo Orekeng 1.42.07
8 Mpho Matlhong 1.45.25
9 Delight Ncube 1.48.05
10 Helene Van Rooyen 1.50.17
10km
Men
1 Jason Bowers 0.32.06
2 Thapelo Ramokhose 0.32.11
3 Alfred Matweba 0.33.09
4 Benjamin Skhosana 0.34.04
5 Kgosi Tesosame 0.34.19
6 Malibongwe Ndlovu 0.34.22
7 Nduduzo Sithole 0.34.24
8 Rethabile Mokhotha 0.35.06
9 John Letageng 0.35.31
10 Mmeno Luvugo 0.35.51
Women
1 Farida Zwane 0.40.16
2 Lorette Pretorius 0.44.54
3 Maswabi Lekhetho 0.46.35
4 Sellogne Nthako 0.47.30
5 Lydia Kubheka 0.48.21
6 Paulinah Tale 0.51.34
7 Caroline Wynne 0.53.29
8 Dricky Hattingh 0.54.40
9 Louise Brits 0.55.12
10 Amanda Matukane 57.08