Elroy and Lloyd shine at marathons

Local star athlete of the Nedbank Running Club, Lloyd Bosman from Pacaltsdorp, took a decisive win in the weekend's Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon in Cape Town in a time of 2:22:30. The race started at Cape Town Stadium and ended at Simonstown. Bosman says the conditions were very windy and the first 10km were run into the wind. "The race had ups and downs. That's the Peninsula Marathon for you, but it was a lovely race along the beach," Bosman told George Herald in an interview this week.

He broke away at the 32km mark and stayed ahead of the race up until the finish. "At 32km I thought to myself there's another 10 ahead and I took the chance. I didn't look back from there. It's a wonderful marathon, one of the best in South Africa. It is so well organised and there was healthy competition."

On Monday morning, he was ready to go for his usual 05:00 morning jog with his fellow athletes from the Pacaltsdorp Running Tribe and this coming weekend he'll be running the Cango Caves half-marathon.

Elroy Gelant runs 10th best marathon time ever by a South African

Elroy Gelant, a Pacaltsdorp Running Tribe member, ran the 10th best marathon time ever by a South African when he attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games at the Sevilla Marathon in Spain at the weekend. He finished 27th in a time of 2:08:56, about 40 seconds away from the Olympic qualifying time.

"I'm happy with the result. It was about one and a half minute faster than my previous best. I think I'm on the right track in my efforts to qualify for the Olympics and will make my last attempt at the National Championships in Durban on 28 April." The Olympic Games are taking place from 1 to 11 August in Paris, France.

Gelant will also take part in the Two

Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on 23 April.

The Sevilla Marathon was run in ideal weather conditions with no wind and in cool temperatures. "It was like George weather. I don't like the heat here in Potch," said Gelant, who is a full-time lecturer at the North West University. He still regards George as his home and has built a house here. He is always in George during his off times.

Several Georgians travelled to Cape Town to compete in the marathon. Nedbank athlete, Valdon Syfers, from George nearing the finish line.

Elroy Gelant in action at the Sevilla Marathon where he finished in the 10th fastest time ever achieved by a South African in a marathon.

Lloyd Bosman (left) broke away at 32km and remained ahead up until the finish for a decisive win in the Peninsula Marathon.

Former Georgian Paul Juries maintaining a steady pace during the race.