The fifth annual Mandela Day Marathon took place on Sunday, 28 August 2016, forming part of an exhilirating weekend of sport from 26 to 28 August.
The event was hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal government and Premier Willies Mchunu, in partnership with uMgungundlovu district municipality, its local councils and Mayor Thobekile Maphumulo, and supported by the Mandela royal family and Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the chief of Mvezo.
Registration for athletes opened on Friday, 26 August, in Pietermaritzburg. Later that day, Nkosi Zwelivelile was treated to a reception dinner at Golden Horse Casino.
A enjoyable day of sport
Saturday, 27 August, was was packed with a host of sporting events, including a triathlon, trail running and mountain biking, with Nkosi Zwelivelile participating in the 21km cycling race. South African triathlete Henri Schoeman, who claimed the bronze medal in the men’s triathlon at the 2016 Rio Olympics, successfully defended his title to win the triathlonfor the second year in a row.
Ramonene and Abere come out tops
Lesotho’s Tsepang Ramonene blew away a quality men’s field that included previous Comrades Marathon winners Gift Kelehe, David Radebe and Bongumusa Mthembu to claim his maiden Nelson Mandela Marathon. He crossed the line in a time of 2:28:07, less than a minute short of Thobani Chagwe’s 2014 record.
Ramonene, whose famous twin brother Tsepo did not join him in the race after recently participating in the marathon at the Rio Olympics, said he couldn’t have asked for a better start after taking up the lead after 11km while ascending Struggle Hill, but he found the descent tough going. “I’m very happy to have run the race and, of course, winning it!” While he had wanted to break the race record, it was not to be, he said, also giving credit to his brother.
Ethiopia’s Tekletsion Tefera finished second, while Kenyan Melly Kennedy rounded off the top three.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian Selam Abere successfully defended her title when she crossed the line in 2:52:28, beating her compatriot Chelitu Asefa. South Africa’s Makhosazana Ladyfair Mhlongo crossed the line in third place. Abere, who had wanted to break Irvette van Zyl’s record of 2:37:45, said the sweltering heat made it impossible for her to challenge it. “I really tried, but it was just hard work,” the two-time champion said.
Both the men’s and women’s race winners walked away with R100 000 cash prizes, the runners-up pocketed R50 000, and those in third place received R25 000.