Double SA win:
Delighted South African runner Ann Ashworth wins the 89km Comrades Marathon women’s race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on Sunday. The men’s race was won by Bongmusa Mthembu.
SA completed a clean sweep at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday as Bongmusa Mthembu and Ann Ashworth ensured that the coveted titles remained on these shores.
It was a SA one-two in the two categories with Joseph Mphuthi and Gerda Steyn clinching the runners-up spots.
Mthembu completed his third Comrades win, after victories in 2014 and 2017, becoming only the second man to chalk up back-to-back victories since Bruce Fordyce in the 1980s.
The Arthur Ford runner warded off a strong challenge from Marko Mambo of Zimbabwe‚ who had set the pace for the better part in the second half of the 90km down run.
Mthembu broke away at Cowies Hill‚ about 18km from the finish line at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
It was left to the rest of the pack that also had a significant South African presence to jostle for the remaining top-10 slots.
The biggest surprise was Edward Mothibi‚ who on his Comrades debut finished fourth as SA went on to occupy seven places in the top 10.
Meanwhile‚ it was an incredible end to the weekend for Ashworth as she claimed a maiden Comrades title.