Husband-and-wife pair of Muhajr Haredin and Sofiya Shemsu from Ethiopia were the big winners at the eighth edition of the Mandela Day Marathon after both scorched to record times in Howick on Sunday.
Haredin clocked a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 18 seconds (2:26.18) to beat the previous best mark of 2:27.12 that was set by South African Thobani Chagwe when he won the title back in 2014.
The 26-year-old finished ahead of countryman Wondwosen Ketema Mamo (2.27.44) by 86 seconds, with Lesotho’s Teboho Noosi (2.27.47) third.
Speaking afterwards, Haredin admitted it was a tough race, but he was thrilled with the outcome.
The first South African to cross the line in the race from Imbali in Pietermaritzburg to the Nelson Mandela Capture site was Ntsindiso Mphakathi, while former record holder Chagwe ended fifth.
The race has been dominated by Ethiopians in recent years and 2019 was no different as Haredin beat the warm conditions of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to win the race comfortably for the first time.
His reward was the an impressive R100 000, plus an additional R50 000 for breaking the record. He says bettering Chagwe’s mark was just a bonus.
Around 14 000 athletes entered Sunday’s three main race categories – the 42 kilometres, 21km and 10km.
And while Haredin walked away with men’s honours, spouse Shemsu did the same in the ladies race.
Sofia Shemseu, from Ethopia, First Female at the Mandela Day Marathon 42KM.#MandelaDayMarathon #KeepRunningTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/hoXt1DS0Cz
— Mandela Day Marathon (@MandelaDM) August 25, 2019
Her time of 2:45.21 was a massive nine minutes ahead of compatriot and double winner Selam Abere Alebachew (2:54.25), with local Sanelisiwe Mbanjwa (3:03.37) third.
Shemsu’s time smashed the 2014 record of 2:47.15 set by Irvette van Zyl. The half marathons, meanwhile, were won by Joel Mmane (1:06.07) and Rutendo Nyahora (1:17.14). Zimbabwean Nyahora said she was happy to put behind her disappointing Spar 10km Grand Prix Series to win in KZN.
There was much better luck for South Africans in the 10km distance where, Precious Mashele and Jenna Challenor seized victory.
Mashele took the title for a third year in a row by winning in a time of 30.31, marginally ahead of Sibusiso Nzima (30.35) and Reghen Magwai (31.33).
He was over the moon afterwards, saying the Mandela Day Marathon was a race he hugely enjoyed. Mashele also spoke about his plans for the rest of the year.
Challenor (36.44), meanwhile, edged out Mathakane Letsie (36.45) by one second in what was a photo finish in Howick.
Farida Narcy Zwane (37.40) finished further back in third. The local challenger is a popular figure in KZN having recently shot up the Comrades Marathon favourites list, but opted to manage her routine by running the shortest distance at what is quickly becoming one of the most famous events in the country.
Speaking afterwards she said she will be easing her way back into the longer events during the latter part of 2019.
Top three men and women for the Mandela Day Marathon 10km. #MandelaDayMarathon #KeepRunningTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/PbMC9Ejqds
— Mandela Day Marathon (@MandelaDM) August 25, 2019
Top Three Males at the Mandela Day Marathon 21KM, 1st place – Joel Mmane, 2nd place – Thabang Masiako, and 3rd place #MandelaDayMarathon #KeepRunningTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/uUpcXQjVQp
— Mandela Day Marathon (@MandelaDM) August 25, 2019
Top Three Women for the Mandela Day Marathon 21km, 1st place – Rutendo Nyahora, 2nd place – Olivia Chitate , 3rd place Betha Chikanga.#MandelaDayMarathon #KeepRunningTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/r7Q9ACJ7XM
— Mandela Day Marathon (@MandelaDM) August 25, 2019
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala and Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka congratulating the men’s 42 KM winner Muhajr Haredin Sraj.#MandelaDayMarathon #KeepRunningTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/D8MxkB9CwI
— Mandela Day Marathon (@MandelaDM) August 25, 2019
Top 3 Males for the Mandela Day Marathon 42KM : 2nd – Wondwosen Ketema Mamo; 1st – Muhajr Haredin Sraj; and in 3rd place – Teboho Noosi#MandelaDayMarathon #KeepRunningTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/lVLvxSBhYI
— Mandela Day Marathon (@MandelaDM) August 25, 2019
