The North West recorded a marked increase in the number of participants at this year’s Comrades Marathon, with the tally of medals equally on the rise.
Compared to last year, when only one out of the 15 participants did not finish the race, the number at this year’s 88th edition of the world-famous Marathon was more than 80 participants with an impressive tally of medals up to more than 26.
There were three Silvers, 15 Bill Rowans, 25 Bronze and nine Vic Claphams.
“The medals at the Comrades are classified as follows: Gold for first ten men and women, Wally Hayward medal for position 11 to sub 6 hours, Silver is for 6 hours to sub 7 hours 30 minutes; Bill Rowan medal for 7 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours; Bronze is for 9 hours to sub 11 hours; and the Vic Clapham for 11 hours to sub 12 hours” Department of Sports, Art and Culture in the province said.
This year the marathon was run by more than 18 000 athletes from around the world with the official distance being 86,863 km.
The race started at 05:30 am on Sunday June 2 at the Durban City Hall and finished at 17:30 at the Cricket Oval in Pietermaritzburg. It alternates in terms of start and finish between the two cities, meaning next year will be the “down-run”, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
“Eighty four of the runners from the North West were sponsored by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their trip to the race and accommodation. Of the North West athletes who finished nine were female’s athletes and 49 males” said Vusi Kama.
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Tebogo Modise was ecstatic about the Province’s performance.
“What we need now is to build on the success of these athletes,” she said. “We commit ourselves to supporting our athletes so that the pool becomes even bigger” MEC Tebogo Modise said.
David Gatebe of Impala Plats was the first North West runner to cross the finish line, coming in at number 24 with a time of 06:19 minutes and earned himself Silver.
The Two Oceans champion said he was slightly disappointed with his position although he ran a fairly good race.
“I was expecting to do much better, but the race was fast,” he said. “I will continue to work hard” David Gatebe said.
Gatebe said the North West had great potential in athletics and that he was encouraged by the spirit shown by the young athletes he trained in Zeerust and Lichtenburg.
The other Silver medalists were Tshidiso Karaka (7:21:18) and Festis Mokgabisi (7:22:15), both of Ottosdal’s Diamond Marathon Club.
Nomvula Molaba of Tlokwe Athletics Club was the first North West lady to finish the race winning a bronze with a time of 10:23:55.
She was followed by Matshidiso Mochobo of Bert’s Bricks in Potchefstroom, also with a bronze at a time of 10:39:45.
“The first Comrades Marathon was run on May 24, 1921 when 34 runners lined up before the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to commence a race to Durban to commemorate the spirit and camaraderie of the soldiers who fought in the Great War.
(Edited by Obakeng Maje)
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews