Tough run for Nkoka
LEBENYA Nkoka won Africa’s richest road race, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, an event that has earned a reputation as the most beautiful marathon in the world.
The Lesotho runner broke clear of a three-man lead group with less than 10km of the gruelling 56km course remaining to earn his maiden win of the annual race in 3:09:52, to cheers from a large crowd at the University of Cape Town sports fields. Russian Nina Podnebesnova won the women’s race, clocking 03:40:07.
Each pocketed R250 000 in prize money. However, they missed out on the R1million bonus prize that the sponsors had pledged to record breakers.
The men’s record of 3:03:44, set by the late Thompson Magawana in 1988, and the women’s mark of 3:30:36, set by Frith van der Merwe in 1989, have remained unchallenged for nearly three decades.
South African Hendrick Ramaala clinched second place in 3:11:33 on his ultramarathon debut. Paulina Njeya was the first South African woman home, taking fifth in 3:50:48. — Own Correspondent