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Stephen Mokoka sets new Cape Town Marathon record

Stephen Mokoka at the finishing the race
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South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka won the Cape Town Marathon in a new race record. Mokoka completed the 42.2km race in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 31 seconds.

Namibia’s Helalia Johannes won the women’s race in 2 hours, 29 minutes and 28 seconds – also a new course record.

More than 10 000 athletes took part in the marathon in the Mother City on Sunday.

The event also doubles as the South African championships.

Mokoka broke away from the leading runners with about nine kilometres to go and never looked back.

Kenyans, Albert Korir and Philemon Kacherian were second and third, respectively.

It is Mokoka’s first marathon on South African soil and it has made him the first South African winner of the event in eight years.

“With a marathon, you never know. You always hope for the best. With a marathon, you always wish to finish. I was happy when I saw myself at 40 km with a gap. So, I was very happy about it. “

Johannes was equally impressive in the women’s race. She won almost a minute faster than Kenyan, Osabella Ochinchi’s previous best.

“I ran with the rest of the group from the beginning to 38km. From 38km, I realised that I might just go, because I felt so energetic. So, I decided to break away from my colleagues.”

Nolene Conrad was the first South African woman over the finish line. She finished 8th overall in 2 hours, 34 minutes and 39 seconds.

Mokoka and Johannes each take home prize money of R265 000 and a R100 000 bonus for setting new records.

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