SOUTH African Michael Mazibuko ended Lesotho's dominance of the men's race of the Soweto Marathon by winning the celebrated 42.2km event on debut yesterday.
The 25-year-old runner from Frankfort in Free State pocketed R100,000 after clocking 2:19:04.
In the women's section, Lesotho's Mamorallo Tjoka also entered her name into the event's history books by winning it for a third successive year in 2:44:40, breaking Rene Kalmer's two-year-old mark by 14 seconds
Tjoka, 27, who like Mazibuko is a member of the all-conquering Toyota Athletics Club, also got R100000 that she will use to buy furniture for her house in Maseru.
Mazibuko led after the 38km mark and never looked back.
"This is a great day for me. I was worried about the guys from Lesotho. I will use the money towards building a house for my parents," said Mazibuko.
Lesotho's Moses Mohluli finished second in 2:19:05, followed by compatriot Nkoka Lebenya in 2:19:34. Former African champion Johannes Kekana was 10th in 2:22:22.
Tjoka, who has built a mansion in Maseru using her Soweto Marathon loot in the past two years, said: "It was a tough one. I had an injury and also suffered from flu.
"I will use the money I won today to buy furniture for the house."
There was drama in the 10km race which resulted in runners, including big names Lucky Mohale and Sibusiso Nzima, not being properly guided by marshals.
"The biggest mistake was to start the marathon and 10km race simultaneously. Previously, there was a gap of 15 minutes," said a top runner, who asked not to be named.
Gauteng MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation Lebogang Maile took part in the 10km race of the marathon dedicated to the five runners killed by an alleged drunk driver.
Mazibuko restores Mzansi's pride with Soweto Marathon triumph
SOUTH African Michael Mazibuko ended Lesotho's dominance of the men's race of the Soweto Marathon by winning the celebrated 42.2km event on debut yesterday.
The 25-year-old runner from Frankfort in Free State pocketed R100,000 after clocking 2:19:04.
In the women's section, Lesotho's Mamorallo Tjoka also entered her name into the event's history books by winning it for a third successive year in 2:44:40, breaking Rene Kalmer's two-year-old mark by 14 seconds
Tjoka, 27, who like Mazibuko is a member of the all-conquering Toyota Athletics Club, also got R100000 that she will use to buy furniture for her house in Maseru.
Mazibuko led after the 38km mark and never looked back.
"This is a great day for me. I was worried about the guys from Lesotho. I will use the money towards building a house for my parents," said Mazibuko.
Lesotho's Moses Mohluli finished second in 2:19:05, followed by compatriot Nkoka Lebenya in 2:19:34. Former African champion Johannes Kekana was 10th in 2:22:22.
Tjoka, who has built a mansion in Maseru using her Soweto Marathon loot in the past two years, said: "It was a tough one. I had an injury and also suffered from flu.
"I will use the money I won today to buy furniture for the house."
There was drama in the 10km race which resulted in runners, including big names Lucky Mohale and Sibusiso Nzima, not being properly guided by marshals.
"The biggest mistake was to start the marathon and 10km race simultaneously. Previously, there was a gap of 15 minutes," said a top runner, who asked not to be named.
Gauteng MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation Lebogang Maile took part in the 10km race of the marathon dedicated to the five runners killed by an alleged drunk driver.
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