ZIMBABWE came to Northern KwaZulu-Natal and claimed the honours on Sunday with Mike Fokoroni and Loveness Madziva winning the Prince Mangosuthu Ultra Marathon from Nquthu to Dundee.
Fokoroni, from the Nedbank Athletic Club, had to work hard to overcome the challenge of teammates Peter Muthubi and Mholi Jali over the tough, undulating 52km course. The Zimbabwean crossed the line in a time of 3.06.46, just 25 seconds ahead of Muthubi, with Jali a mere 10 seconds further back.
In contrast in the women’s race, Fokoroni’s compatriot Madziva eventually proved to be in a class of her own as she cruised home in 3.36.40, a convincing 13 minutes ahead of Phantane Athletic Club’s Sanelisiwe Mbanjwa (3.49.26) with Eunice Nhlapho (4.09.52) from the Eskom Athletic Club claiming third, 20 minutes further back.
The vastly experienced Fokoroni, who was the Two Oceans champion in 2016 and finished fourth at the Comrades Marathon in the same year, timed his race perfectly. The 42-year-old Beijing Olympian went through the 16km mark in the large chasing pack just over a minute behind the early leader, Michael Mkhambule.
With about seven kilometres remaining, Fokoroni and Muthubi were locked in a tight battle as they tried to chase down Lebohang Mahloane, who had set a blistering pace over the second third of the course.
Mahloane could not hold off the two Comrades gold medallists and as he limped home Fokoroni managed to ease away from Muthubi in the dash for Dundee, which was also the dash for cash as Fokoroni claimed the huge R100 000 winners’ cheque. Muthubi earned half that for second while Jali, who remained around ten seconds behind the runner up for much of the closing stages, earned himself a tidy R25 000.
“The course was a little bit more challenging than I expected,” said a tired but relieved Fokoroni after crossing the line. “I thought the course was going to be flat but it was not as flat as I was told it would be.
“I had no speed at Comrades this year so I wanted to use this race to test my speed for a marathon I am planning to run in December. But I felt good and I had some good speed today, so I am happy.”
In the women’s race, Madziva was always going to be the runner to beat, but she had to work surprisingly hard over the first half to get away from Mbanjwa. However, once the Zimbabwean who now lives in Durban established a gap, she was able to build a big lead quickly for what turned out to be a comfortable victory.
Madziva has made her visits to the Zululand region lucrative. Last year she won a car when she was the winner of the Zululand 56km Ultra Marathon (which co-incidentally came just a week after she won another car for winning the Harry Gwala District Marathon). Her 52km run on Sunday ensured she returned home R100 000 richer.
In the shorter 10km race on Sunday, Phantane Athletic Club’s Bonginkosi Zwane was able to edge out Jason Bowers by just four seconds to win in a quick time of 30 minutes 22 seconds. Nedbank Athletic Club’s Tebelio Ramakongoana came home third, another 11 seconds back.
The women’s 10km ended with a convincing win for Hollywood Bets AC’s Nwabisa Mjoli, whose 39.48 was 90 seconds ahead of Utrecht’s Snegugu Xulu, while Nquthu local Namisile Sithole claimed third, another minute and a half further back.
Leading results
52km
Men
1 Mike Fokoroni 3.06.46
2 Peter Muthubi 3.07.10
3 Mholi Jali 3.07.20
4 Collin Kanyimo 3.10.58
5 Thulane Magagula 3.11.38
6 Moselakwe Matshailwe 3.15.50
7 Makwande Mugwengi 3.15.54
8 Lucas Nonyana 3.16.54
9 Nkululeko Ngubane 3.16.55
10 Phillip Phakwago 3.17.31
Women
1 Loveness Madziva 3.36.40
2 Sanelisiwe Mbanjwa 3.49.26
3 Eunice Nhlapho 4.09.52
4 Lieketseng Molefe 4.12.35
5 Monica Kativhu 4.20.55
6 Xoli Madida 4.39.02
7 Nonsikelelo Mbambo 4.42.03
8 Hlobie Madida 4.43.49
9 Winile Mnisi 4.50.24
10 Thifhelimbilu Mudau 5.01.00
10km
Men
1 Bonginkosi Zwane 30.22
2 Jason Bowers 30.26
3 Tebelio Ramakongoana 30.37
4 Anele Dlamini 31.06
5 Lindokuhle Sthole 31.13
6 Leeto Mathews 31.31
7 Grevazio Mpani 31.41
8 Bhekani Sithole 33.19
9 Mendisi Bhekithemba Khuzwayo 33.25
10 Bongelani Mkhwanazi 33.32
Women
1 Nwabisa Mjoli 39.48
2 Snegugu Xulu 41.18
3 Namisile Sithole 42.53
4 Dimakgatso Mtloung 43.47
5 Sbongakonke Zulu 44.16
6 Anele Ntshangase 44.24
7 Beatrice Hlophe 45.10
8 Andile Sibisi 47.24
9 Mahlahla Khanye 49.28
10 Rethabile Motloung 49.29
Full race results at www.results.finishtime.co.za
