15 000 athletes run for Mandela
THERE was a carnival atmosphere outside the Manaye Hall in Imbali at the break of dawn yesterday, as people in pyjamas, nightdresses and gowns danced at the start of the 42.2km Mandela Marathon.
The hall is most remembered as the venue where 1 400 delegates made their demands for a democratic republic, led by Nelson Mandela, in May 1961.
The KwaZulu-Natal government hailed a successful fifth hosting of the event yesterday, with thousands enjoying the activities over two days that included a 42.2km marathon, half marathon, trail running, triathlon, mountain bike event and 10km race.
“The human spirit has once again triumphed as some 15 000 athletes from all over the world competed in various categories in the uMgungundlovu district, where the late former president Nelson Mandela was captured 54 years ago by the apartheid police,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
The winners of the main race were Tsepang Ramonene (Lesotho) in the men’s category and Selam Abere Alebachew (Ethiopia) in the women’s category.
The winners of the 21.1km race were Elroy Gelant (SA) in the men’s category, and Rutendo Nyahora (Zimbabwe) in the women’s category.
“The Mandela Day Marathon has again demonstrated our capacity to organise world-class sporting events that bring people together and provide economic incentives for our communities and municipalities,” said DubeNcube.
The marathon aims to celebrate and preserve Mandela’s legacy, but also provides business and job opportunities for local communities, and helps to market KZN as a tourist destination.