It was the Lutendo and Luthando show ...
IT WAS the Lutendo and Luthando show at a windswept 50th Cape Peninsula Marathon yesterday, with 28-year-old Polokwane athlete, Lutendo Mapoto, racing to victory in 2 hr 27 min 34 sec in his first competitive outing in the Cape, just over a minute ahead of East London-based Luthando Hejama.
The retirement of last year’s Comrades Marathon champion, Charne Bosman, who opted out of the race with a stomach complaint at Fish Hoek, left the way clear for 42-year-old Durbanville medical marketing agent, Ulrica Stander, to race through in the second half and win the women’s competition in her marathon debut in 2:58:45.
The “Cape Doctor” blew with fearsome force, turning the race into battle of attrition with the competitors running straight into the teeth of a headwind in the final stages between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town.
But Mapoto, a full time runner for the Pietersburg Road Running Club, scarcely seemed to feel the wind, as he as he powered away from his rivals, his second half fully three minutes quicker than his halfway time.
“I really love it in Cape Town,” Mapoto beamed. “I would stay a week if I had the money – even live here! But I have to go home tomorrow. I will be back in April for the Two Oceans and I hope the wind stays away then!”
It proved a great day for Polokwane, as Pietersburg runners filled three of the top ten positions to win the team competition.
Lesotho athlete Sechaba Bohosi scorned conservative tactics which the windy conditions demanded, racing into an early lead, which he held with ease, running through half way in Bergvliet in 1:12:46 – almost two minutes clear of Johannesburg athlete, Lucas Raseruthe. A following pack of six, including Mapoto and Hejana, were a further minute behind.
Bohosi was to pay a terrible price for his optimism. Although only surrendering his lead with less than 12km to run, the exhausted runner staggered home in 66th position in 3:08:46.
Unlike Bohosi, Mapoto chose to leave his best until last, his cautious tactics paying dividends as he and Hejana hit the front together for the final quarter.
Little could separate the leaders as they raced along the coastal road, until leg cramps put an end to Hejana’s title hopes. He was unable to respond as Mapoto surged to victory.
Bosman held a clear lead at half way in the women’s race, with Stander and local runner, Lee-Shay Willemse biding their time in a large group of runners aiming to break the three hour mark. Bosman was forced to throw in the towel at 34km, shortly before the Stander “bus” arrived.
Running strongly, former Protea triathlete Stander broke clear of the pack in the final stages to race to an impressive marathon debut victory, with Willemse trailing in second, 12 minutes in arrears.
“I only started to consider running a marathon four months ago, when I joined up with (Comrades Coach) Lindsay Parry,” confessed Stander.
“Perhaps I’ve left it a little late, but I believe I can still succeed in marathon and ultra-marathon distances. I’ll be giving the Two Oceans a try out in April!”
Nkosinathi Madyo and Zintle Xiniwe were the respective winners in the half marathon in 1:11:58 and 1:27:01 respectively, their slow times also due to the prevailing headwinds.