Nedbank Matha Series Middelburg

For the former New York Marathon winner, the race was a final speed test before he runs the London Marathon on 26 April in principal he was a cut above the rest but he was made to work for his money by the eventual runner up Norman Dlomo (63:32) and bronze medallist, Zimbabwean Wirimai Juwawo (63:45).

“I wanted to run just under 63 minutes but the two long up hills stopped that but I am still happy with today's time it shows everything is on line for a good run in London, I just hope the weather is good there I don't like the cold stuff,” he explained.

Zimbabwean ace Sharon Tavengwa had a tough race against Lesotho's, Mamorallo Tjoka (GS) who pushed her to the line loosing by eight seconds margin, her winning time of 75:54 was impressive considering she ran 2:47 to win the Johannesburg Marathon two weeks ago.

The ever smiling Zimbabwean let her secret out on her shinning demeanour. “April is the happy month and it is also my birth month that is why I am so happy all the time. I am now preparing to run a ten kilometre in Scotland in a few months time, so it is back to tough training for me,” she enthused.

With Tjoka claiming second in 76:02, third place went to another northern visitor in the shape of Varaidzo Shindi (MP) in 77:05.

RESULTS - 21.1km

Men

Seniors

1 Hendrick Ramaala (Nedbank) 63:12;
2 Norman Dlomo (Lekoa) 73:32;
3 Wirimai Juwawo (Zimbabwe) 63:45;
4 Lusapho April (Nedbank) 64:20;
5 Elmore Sibanda (Zimbabwe) 64:55;
6 Kelvin Pangiso (MP) 64:59;
7 Pakiso Pedi (Transnet) 65:16;
8 Abram Miya (GS) 65:33;
9 Xolisa Tyali (Nedbank) 65:35;
10 Charles Tjiane (MP) 65:38

Juniors

1 Jonathan Chinyoka (MP) 65:35;
2 Freedom Khumalo (Temp) 71:23;
3 Shaun Zuzani (Nedbank) 72:09;
4 Motseki Tjale (Powerade) 72:34;
5 Abednigo Mashaba (BTW) 73:01;
6 Marshal Jaji (Bashewa) 73:29;
7 Nelson Zuze (Bashewa) 73:29;
8 Nkosinathi Nkosinathi (Nedbank) 75:32;
9 Justice Monareng (MM) 78:13;
10 Thabo Mhlangu (GS) 78:37

Veterans

1 Maxwell Bongani (Bashewa) 69:44;
2 Sam Molokomme (Bashewa) 72:26;
3 Ben Mathibela (Spirit Wind) 72:51

Masters

1 Francis Makuka (Bashewa) 78:28;
2 Jumario Khuzwayo (Nedbank) 99:37;
3 Thulani Sibisi (ADT) 80:19

Grand Masters

1 Paulus Masilela (Bashewa) 86:37;
2 Daniel Hlongwane (Nedbank) 90:00;
3 Johannes Mosehla (Polokwane) 90:21

Women

Seniors

1 Sharon Tavengwa (Zimbabwe) 75:54;
2 Mamarolla Tjoka (GS) 76:02;
3 Varaidzo Shindi (MP) 77:05;
4 Miliam Thole (Tuks) 77:44;
5 Thabita Tsatsa (Boxer) 78:01;
6 Catherine Skosana (Transnet) 79:57;
7 Olivia Chitate (Bashewa) 80:07;
8 Mpho Mabuza (Powerade) 80:27;
9 Charne Bosman (MP) 80:50;
10 Chiydeza Chikore (MP) 80:50

Juniors

1 Annida Claasens (Anmar-BRS) 94:00;
2 Lawreen Juru (Bashewa) 95:28;
3 Nontokozo Dlamini (Nelspruit) 95:40;
4 Petunia Msibi (Nedbank) 2:06:36;
5 Mary-Jane Prinsloo (CSIR) 2:08:06;
6 Snowy Maila (Middelburg) 2:08:25

Veterans

1 Sarah Mahlangu (MP) 86:03;
2 Lellanie van Zyl (Nedbank) 92:05;
3 Ester Liebenberg (Escom) 1:48:47

Masters

1 Erika Swart (Sasol) 93:37;
2 Francis van Blerk (Nedbank) 97:54;
3 Adri van Jaarsveld (Escom) 1:42:35

Grand Masters

1 Penny Visser (Breakthru) 1:50:49;
2 Esme Kloppers (Transnet) 2:09:26;
3 Linda Vickers (Sasol) 2:13:39