Kaapsehoop Marathon takes toll on athletes

Saturday November 5 will for many runners be a memory to cherish forever.

Not all these memories, however, will be for the same reasons.

The Kaapsehoop 3-in-1, organised by the Nelspruit Marathon Club (NMC), is known to experienced runners to be one of the easier qualifiers for the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons.

The more than 3 300 runners who took part, however, got more, or less, than what they had bargained for.

Some were delighted to have improved on their previous best times in the 10km and 21km, while others, especially the 42km runners, might only remember the first 7km of the race.

A gruelling uphill start, with little to no hydration.

The organisers said that many concerns, complaints, remarks and questions regarding the new start of the 42km had been received, and they reassured runners that all concerns and recommendations would be reviewed. “We are striving to restore the race to its former glory. Please accept our apologies for the lack of sufficient water sachets at the first feeding stations. We underestimated the needs of the runners so early in the race. This has been another learning curve, for all of us,” they said in a statement following the race.

Many applauded the NMC and feeding stations like BUCO Nelspruit for the things done right. BUCO, for instance, was commended for going the extra mile by offering relief from the heat in the form of a sprinkler, and more than enough hydration and nutrition to meet runners’ needs.

Eliud Kipsang: 02:25:32 Marelise Retief (Team Vitality Club): 02:51:46. Samuel Mathabatha (Bella’s): 01:08:20 Bernadene McLoud (Runzone Athletics Club): 1:22:56. Abednico Mashaba (Bella’s): 31:13 Chantal Middel-Boveé (Definition): 43:33. The full results are available on protime.co.za. See more photos on lowvelder.co.za Eliud Kipsang, the overall winner of the 42.2km race.

Bernadene McLoud, the first female in the 21.1km race.

Bafana Bafana fans at a previous match at Mbombela Stadium.