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South Africa,Centurion- In the 27th running of the
Old Mutual Wally Haywood Marathon, Richard Motsamai
Mavuso from the Mr. Price Club won the race in a time
of 2:19:27. He stunned the pundits as this was his debut
marathon and - on top of it - he started the race 2
minutes late.
Over a new course he still managed to better the previous
race record of 2:19:52.
Mavuso only caught up with the leaders at the 20 km
mark and in an exclusive interview after the race said:
“I knew the race was mine by the time I caught
the leading bunch, they were going at a slow pace so
I just waited my time before making my move to at 36
km mark,”. When asked why he had decided to run
a marathon, he replied “I needed a new challenge
in my running and the marathon provides that challenge”.
The bunch at 21 km (reached in 1:09:30) was some 15
strong with all the leading contenders being involved.
Mech Metuli, last year's winner Joseph Mphuti, Sipho
Ncobe (who had led briefly up to 20 km), Jacob Masombuka,
Richard Mavuso, Sivuyile Nowembini, Nicky Masombuka
and Graham Malinga were all taking turns to set the
pace.
By the 30 km mark, the lead group was down to seven
and by 32 km (1:45:46) only Mavuso, Nicky Masombuka,
Nowembini and Mphuti were left in the front.
When Mavuso surged at 36 km (1:59:04), only Nicky Masombuka
(Harmony Gold), who finished 14 sec behind the winner,
and third place finisher Sivuyile Nowembini (Harmony
Gold), were able to go with him. From 36.5-39 km, Mavuso
and Nicky Masombuka ran side by side, but one could
see that Mavuso was far more relaxed and just biding
his time. At 40 km Mavuso had moved into a 5 sec lead
and entered the ground to huge support from the 7000
strong crowd.
The women’s race was won by Sarah Mahlangu (Liberty
Nike), who let be known after the race that this was
just a training run in preparation for Comrades. The
runner-up was Gladys Lukhwareni (Harmony Gold).
The Half Marathon, run at the same time of the marathon,
was won by Shadrack Hoff and Ronel Thomas respectively.
Results - men 42 km
1. Richard Mavuso 2:19,27
2. Nicky Masombuka 2:19,41
3. Sivuyile Ndwembeni 2:20,26
4. Solomon Mmatli 2:20,47
5. Tsotang Maine 2:21,21
Women 42 km
1. Sarah Mahlangu 2:53,41
2. Gladys Lukhwareni 2:59,41
3. Natasja Gilliand 3:12,25
4. Rene du Plessis 3:13,25
5. Adri Taylor 3:17,01
Half-marathon men
1. Shadrack Hoff 1:04,22
2. James Chamunorwa 1:04,24
3. Sylvester Moleko 1:04,24
4. Simon Mpholo 1:04,57
5. Elias Modise 1:05,51
Women
1. Ronel Thomas 1:18,51
2. Angelina Sephooa 1:19,49
3. Dimakatso Morobi 1:23,33
source Time-to-Run
Roving Reporter Gandy
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