Confusion galore as Van Zyl triumphs

IRVETTE van Zyl won the fifth leg of the six Spar Women’s 10km Challenge races in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.

The 31-year-old Nedbank Running Club athlete was declared a winner after crossing the finish line of the race which was filled with disappointment, confusion, sadness and tears in 34 minutes 26 seconds.

Jenet Mbhele came second in 34:47 while Ruthendo Nyahora finished third in 34:56.

The confusion started between the fourth and fifth kilometre marks where the road splits and runners had to run through the park.

Van Zyl followed the lead cyclist and turned left and a group of five runners – KMPG runner Kesa Molotsane, Boxer’s Glenrose Xaba, Lebohang Phalula, Lesotho international Mamorallo Tjoka and Nedbank Running Club member Neheng Khatala turned right following a marshal’s instructions.

The five athletes ran the shorter route until the finish line where they were disqualified for following the wrong route.

This brought confusion and disappointment to last year’s Grand Prix winner Molotsane and a teary Xaba who’s currently leading the Grand Prix standings with 87 points.

KMPG have appealed the decision.

“Five athletes were disqualified by the referee for following the incorrect route. At the end of the race there were objections lodged by the clubs based on that result.

“The jury of appeal was convened. They heard and deliberated and discussed what happened. Their unanimous decision is that the results will stand as they are and Irvette van Zyl is the first runner who completed the full distance. Those five athletes’ disqualification remain in place,” said the race director Brad Glasspoole.

The disqualification of Xaba and Molotsane affects the Grand Prix standings and there is a possibility that Nyahora might move to first position on the leaderboard.

The Zimbabwean athlete is currently fourth on the leaderboard with 60 points after finishing second in the Pretoria leg two weeks ago.

The final race is on 7 October in Johannesburg.