THE CHAIRMAN of the Genius Athletic Club who are the organizers of the Harry Gwala District Marathon, Themba Gumede, is not concerned about the increase in the number of Kenyan runners who eventually won the race yesterday morning.
The race started from Highflats and ended at Mzimkhulu TVET College, Mzimkhulu. In the distance of 42.2km, the winner was Peter Muindi from Kenya, from Maxed Elite Club at 2:16:54, second was Jobo Khatoane from Lesotho, also from Maxed Elite at 2:19:00, third was Simon Mwangi from Kenya, from Maxed Elite at 2:20:07.
Among the women, the winner was Kenyan Rolex Kogo, of AmaRavens Club in 2:39:16, second was Jenet Mbhele, of Mzimkhulu Striders in 2:50:53, and third was Mathane Nhlabathi of Maxed Elite in 2:54:08.
In 21km and 10km Kenyan ladies, Winny Biwott and Rachael Mbao won separately.
Muidi and Kogo won R60 000 each for men and women in 42.2km separately, 21km and 10km and took home R10 000 and R5 000 respectively.
“In athletics as we are managed by World Athletics, Athletics South Africa and KZN Athletics, here in our province, a runner has the right to run more than any race in the world.
“That’s why the sport of running is a non-discriminating sport because the runner runs individually, that’s why you also get foreign runners to run here. They have a purpose to run here. They know that by running local races they benefit because South African money is multiplied tenfold for them. That is a challenge for our runners and they should do it to raise the level of training. Therefore, I don’t see a problem with foreign runners because their running this race increases the level of the race, improves it, and puts our country on the map,” said Gumede.
The Mayor of Harry Gwala, Zamo Nxumalo, stated that although they are happy with the increase in excitement and quality of the race, he feels that they should do better on the part of the Harry Gwala district runners in this race.
Last year, Sinethemba Ntshangase from Mzimkhulu won the men’s 42.2km but this year he did not return to defend the title due to injury.
“We want the rand here in Harry Gwala to circulate two or three times in this region before going outside. What makes us happy is the increase in running clubs here in Harry Gwala, namely Genius Athletics Club, Ummikhulu Striders, Xobho Athletics. We will call these clubs and have a meeting with them to analyze and see how they can be assisted to increase the level of their performance in this race because it is a race of this level, we compete in it,” said Nxumalo.