Sharon Tavenga winning the Nedbank Johannesburg City Marathon (© Mark Ouma)
Contrasting team tactics enabled Lesotho’s Nathaniel Lebopo and Zimbabwean Sharon Tavenga to emerge the winners at the Nedbank Johannesburg City Marathon on Sunday (22).
Men's Race -
Initially South Africans Charles Gityani, Charles Tijane, Phillip Molefe lead the race. Lesotho’s Lebopo brothers Mabuthile and Nathaniel, Lebenya Nkoka, Tiisetso Ramokheseng, Tebogo Sello and Bokadko Molahleli held back.
At 10km Mabithile surged to the lead. This had the effect of breaking up the lead group. Then as suddenly as he had taken the lead, Mabuthile dropped out shortly after the half way mark.
Local runners Giyani, Molefe and Tijane resumed the lead with Ugandan Daniel Kiprop Chepyegun maintaining contact. Meanwhile the other Lesotho athletes steadily caught up with them at 31km.
Then at 33km Nathaniel Lebopo made his move taking his compatriots with him. He went onto win in a lifetime best of 2:18:32. Lebenya (2:18:45) and Chepyegun (2:18:56) followed.
“We train together in Lesotho to win this race,” says Nathaniel Lebopo. “My brother (Mabuthile) came to wear down our opponents. He is famous having won the South Africa Marathon last month. The trick worked,” Nathaniel Lebopo explained.
Chepyegun was pleased with his first experience in South Africa third place. “I did not know my opponents so all I did was to stay in touch with the various leading groups,” he revealed.
Women’s race -
Zimbabweans Sharon Tavengwa, defending champion Samukeliso Moyo, Muchaneta Gwata and Chiyedza Chokore opted to lead right from the start of the women’s contest. At 15km Tavengwa increased her pace putting some daylight between themselves and the rest of the field.
Tavengwa (2:47:18) clinched victory followed by Moyo (2:50:03). South Africa Catherine Skosana (2:56.59) fought back to snatch third spot.
“I dedicate this victory to Moyo and Lornah Kiplagat (Netherland’s World Half Marathon Champions),” says Tavengwa. “Moyo has always encourages me to be brave in the marathon as I am not used to the distance. This is my second marathon after the Cape Town Marathon last year where I was second to Moyo. Kiplagat has motivated me a lot when I train at the High Altitude training camp in Iten (western Kenya),” says Tavengwa.
Moyo was gracious in defeat. “I am not disappointed losing my title to Tavengwa. After winning the South Africa Champions last month, my sights are on the Two Oceans (56km) Ultra Marathon in Cape Town next month,” says Moyo.
Earlier on South Africa Hendrick Ramaala (29:51) and Lesotho’s Mamarolla Tjoka (35:20) won the men’s and women’s 10km respectively.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
