A group of 36 runners from Welkom descended on Cape Town to take part in the prestigious Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, 20 October.
They formed part of the more than 21 000 athletes who graced the event. Among them were the well-known Team Vitality Twins, Nkhetheni Masupa and Abe Nkomo, who both ran the Berlin Marathon three weeks ago.
The three top runners in the Welkom group ended this prestigious race with astounding times. Nkomo came in at 2:45:20, Masupa at 2:46:30, and Morake Tlhobo at 2:59:47.
Two years ago, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was officially put under probation in its bid to be counted among the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM).
Only six marathons around the globe – the Tokyo, Boston, Chicago, New York, London and Berlin Marathons – have been afforded the Abbott Major status.
Masupa still has two tough events to do in 2024, these being the Sani Stagger Marathon on Saturday, 9 November, and the Tough One road race on Sunday, 24 November.
The Sani Stagger is labelled “The Ultimate Endurance Race” and rated in the top ten list of the most challenging races in the world.
“Sani Stagger is an out-and-out back course that runs from South Africa to Lesotho, and back. Runners start at an altitude of 1 566 m and climb to 2 873 m over 21 km – that is a 1 307 m climb and, in itself, a daunting task. Here you will be staggered by the beauty of South Africa’s unique Sani Pass marathon,” says Masupa.
A total of 12 Welkom runners finished in a time of between three and four hours, and 16 finished between four and five hours. Four runners finished between five and six hours, with the last Welkom runner coming in at five hours and 40 minutes.
