ƒ ™ƒ–‹…‘“—‡”
MBABANE – They hoisted the country’s flag high.
This was after a number of emaSwati participated in the past weekend’s Soweto Marathon. Noteworthy is that a majority of local runners who competed in the race were from Golden Foot Club.
The Secretary of the club Gideon Mthembu disclosed the information.
“We are proud to announce that despite that we may have not regular marathons, our club members take part in races outside the country. It is not only about competing but exercising and getting experience of such races,” said Mthembu.
The first liSwati to cross the finish line was Bheki Sithole after he clocked 3:16:20 hours. He was closely followed by Khoisan Dlamini who crossed the finish line in 4:19:04 hours.
Bheki Khumalo also made the list of emaSwati in the top three after reaching the winning point aftet 4:47:39 hours, while Thembinkosi Nxumalo
Bheki Sithole of Golden Foot Athletics Club displaying his medal.
was the next best liSwati with a time of 5:23:32 hours.
Phumelele was the only lady who participated in the 42km (full marathon) and she finished it in 6:54:13 hours.
Pairs
The pair of Ayanda Ntulu and Bongiwe Hlatswayo decided to run in pairs and finished the 21km race in the same time. They both clocked 2:54:13 hours
Only Zodwa Nkambule took part in the 10km and she finished
it in 1:34:44 hours.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian athletes dominated the 27th edition of the Soweto Marathon by winning men’s and women’s races.
According to information sourced from South Africa’s EyeWitnessNews, over 20 000 runners took part in this year’s edition of the event which is often dubbed the people’s race.
Ethiopia’s Daba Ifa Debele finished the 42km race first in 2:18:58 followed by fellow countryman Gadisa Bekele Gutama - who finished second in 2:19:27, while Lesothos’ Tsepo Ramashamole grabbed the third spot in 2:20:21.