Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Outspoken Thulani Sibisi, the former Two Oceans Marathon winner, has lashed out at the corporate world for treating local standard marathons shabbily.

Sibisi said he was surprised that more funds were channelled into the two ultra distance events - the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons.

"We are now having a serious problem with more youngsters doing ultra marathons because of the massive incentives in the Two Oceans and the Comrades.

"I strongly believe that our corporate world should start focusing on the 10km, 15km, half-marathon and standard marathon events.

"I'm not trying to speak on behalf of Athletics South Africa, but it hurts me to see runners competing in ultra marathons being well looked after.

"Some of them have personal sponsorships and they are given monthly retainers, but successful runners such as Hendrick Ramaala and others are on their own.

"Hendrick is the only one who has been consistently doing well in major global marathons like in New York, Paris and London, but he does not have sponsorship," said Sibisi.