Victor crosses the line

THE dominance of foreign road-runners in the Zululand Ultra 56km Marathon, the past few years, was broken by KwaZulu-Natal runner Victor Ngubelanga.

Ngubelanga won the men’s section of the race by clocking 3:26.20 to clinch the first prize, a 2014 Toyota Etios donated by Ulundi businessman Zakes Ntombela in conjunction with East Toyota, eShowe.

The women’s race was won by veteran runner, Mamorralo Tjoka from Lesotho, who ran 4:19.26 and also won a car.

The excited Harding-born Ngubelanga said he did not have a driver’s licence as he had never dreamt of owning a car. ‘I am only used to riding a horse at home and now I have to trade riding a horse with driving my own car.

‘I am very excited. Soon I am going to slaughter an animal to thank my ancestors for winning such a great price,’ Ngubelanga said.

Although the prize cars were displayed at the Ulundi Regional Stadium during the race, they are only going to be officially handed over to the winners after the release of their doping results.

Tjoka said she was well prepared to run the gruesome race and winning the car was a bonus.

She said she has not decided what she is going to do with her prize.

The Zululand Marathon was started by Zululand District Municipality (ZDM) Mayor, Cllr Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi in 2005 and, in the past three years, it has been dominated by foreigners.

KaMagwaza-Msibi encouraged the youth of ZDM areas to participate in the competition as it was started by the municipality to help young people from the district to exhibit their talent in athletics.

Results

Male

1 Victor Ngubelanga 3:26.20

2 Prodigal Khumalo 3:27.16

3 Petros Sosibo 3:27.57

4 Mncedisi Mkhize 3:29.06

5 Skhumbuzo Dlamini 3:3056

Female

1 Mamorallo Tjoka 4:19.26

2 Fikile Mbuthuma 4:27.08

3 Winile Mnisi 4:32.50

4 Alemtsehay Kakissa 4:34.37

5 Nontshikelelo Mbambo 4:48.49