Visiting athletes taste success in Hani race
KWAZULU-Natal athletes stole the show during the sixth Chris Hani Freedom Marathon at Sabalele Village in Cofimvaba at the weekend.
Tebello Ramakongoana, 29, won the men’s 25km race, while Silindile Chili of KwaZulu-Natal was crowned the women’s winner. Both runners were participating in the event for the first time.
Ramakongoana said he did not expect to win against seasoned runners such as 2016 Two Oceans Marathon winner Lungelo Gongqa.
“It was very tough to have to run on the gravel road. I am used to running on the tar but I knew I would have to have no excuse and do my best.”
He registered on Thursday last week. “There was going to be a marathon that I was going to in KZN, but it was cancelled and someone told me about this Chris Hani race here in Sabalele and I quickly registered. So this shows that I was meant to come and be a part of this and to win it,” he chuckled.
Chili said she would be coming to run the race again next year. “This is a nice marathon. I had prepared well and I knew I was only here to win. What is nice about it as well is that we are running in honour of the late Tata Chris Hani, so we feel great to be a part of those who celebrate his legacy through our love of running.”
Although the race did not live up to expectations, as it seemed fewer people had attended compared to previous years, mayor Koliswa Vimbayo was optimistic the race will remain an important event on their calendar. She said over 2 000 people registered to run but she could not provide details on how many athletes ran this year’s race.
“We are in our sixth year now and we think, going forward, we want to focus on the development side of it, especially on young people, so that they can come and unleash their talent.
“Last night we received a call that there was another marathon in Mthatha, so some of the athletes attended the event that was happening that side,” she said.
Race ambassador Xolile Yawa blamed the bus strike in the area for the decline in numbers. “We registered 2 000 people for the race, but the only challenge we had was the unavailability of buses, because of the bus strike, and there were many people who could not make it.”
The race had attracted runners from as far afield as Kenya and Mozambique.
“In the continent many people know about Chris Hani. He has made us very proud and we are so privileged to have a race for this icon,” the mayor said.
“The race is unique. It is run where Chris Hani walked to school and church, and we did not want to spoil that. It is a trail run. It is beautiful and the scenery is absolutely fantastic. Guys from Kenya and Lesotho are attracted by the name as well.”
Chairman of Athletics Transkei, Lungisile Molwana said the community had shown great support. “People have been asking about it, and this shows that they have accepted that this race is theirs to celebrate now.”