Comrades action produces surprises

AT least 276 Zululand runners took to the road from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in the 89th Comrades Marathon on Sunday, which saw South Africans dominating with seven in the top 10 places and the Russian strangle-hold being broken in the women’s race.

Bongmusa Mthembu won in a time of 5:28:34, just under five minutes ahead of Ludwick Mamabolo who finished in second place.

Third place also went to South African Gift Kelehe, while the first foreigner home was Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi.

In the women’s race, almost everyone thought it would be another one-two for the Russian twins, Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva, with Elena eight minutes in front.

Her dream of a record-equaling ninth win was shattered, however, when Eleanor Greenwood from Great Britain overtook her and powered home, finishing in 6:18:15, five minutes ahead of Elena.

Olesya finished in third place in just under two minutes after her sister.

Caroline Wostmann, the first South African woman to cross the line finished in sixth place, with Zola Budd-Pieterse seventh.

The first Zululander home was Nkosinathi Zwane (6:45:48) who runs for the Mtubatuba AC, followed by Siphiwe Cele (NRB Harriers) in 7:08:28, Mandla Nsele (Mtubatuba) in 7:10:44 and Amos Nkosi (Richards Bay) in 7:12:13.

Blind runner, Mandla Zwane was the fourth Nongoma runner home in 8:13:10.

Results

Top 10 men

1 Bongmusa Mthembu (RSA) 5:28:34

2 Ludwick Mamabolo (RSA) 5:33:14

3 Gift Kelehe (RSA) 5:34:39

4 Stephen Muzhingi (Zimbabwe) 5:35:18

5 Rufus Photo (RSA) 5:35:30

6 Mncedisi Mkhize (RSA) 5:36:06

7 Jonas Buud (Sweden) 5:38:17

8 Manoko Mokwalakwala (RSA) 5:39:29

9 Prodigal Khumalo (Zimbabwe) 5:39:36

10 Latudi Makofane (RSA) 5:40:41

Top 10 women

1 Eleanor Greenwood (Great Britain) 6:18:15

2 Elena Nurgalieva (Russia) 6:23:18

3 Olesya Nurgalieva (Russia) 6:24:51

4 Irina Antropova (Russia) 6:34:08

5 Jo Meek (Great Britain) 6:47:02

6 Caroline Wostmann (RSA) 6:51:43

7 Zola Budd Pieterse (RSA) 6:55:55

8 Frida Sodermark (Sweden) 6:57:33

9 Martinique Potgieter (RSA) 7:00:46

10 Julanie Basson (RSA) 7:02:50

Top three finishers per Zululand club

KwaDukuza AC (17 participants)

Pure Ndlovu (8:51:45)

Phakamani Ngema (8:54:00)

Thuthukani Ntuli (9:33:35)

Mtubatuba (35 participants)

Nkosinathi Zwane (6:45:48)

Mandla Nsele (7:10:44)

Thokozani Mhlungu (7:32:06)

Mtunzini (22 participants)

Colin Hohls (7:53:59)

Bernard Mkhwamubi (8:01:04)

Sithembiso Cele (8:46:10)

Nongoma (15 participants)

Bongani Mdletshe (7:19:33)

Bhekani Mhlongo (7:30:04)

Johannes Zulu (7:50:45)

NRB Harriers (57 participants)

Siphiwe Cele (7:08:28)

Thokozani Sibiya (7:20:40)

Sipho Mhlongo (7:26:16)

Pongola AC (6 participants)

Heinrich Koen (10:57:41)

David Gilroy (11:38:03)

Kobus Theron (11:50:05)

Richards Bay AC (54 participants)

Amos Nkosi (7:12:13)

Bongani Mathunjwa (8:36:25)

Mbongiseni Jiyane (8:36:35)

Ulundi AC (7 participants)

Mkhetheni Manqele (11:06:40)

Lucky Ngubane (11:17:34)

Hlengiwe Buthelezi (11:23:19)

uMhlathuze Athletic Club (63 participants)

Willie Shabalala (7:38:52)

Thomas Mthembu (8:04:37)

Brian Lamb (8:38:10)