Johannesburg, Sunday, 01 November 2009: This year’s Nedbank Soweto Marathon ended the traditional running season on a higher note this weekend (Sunday, 1 November) when two South African runners finally claimed the leading places in both men and ladies categories - making locals across the board proud.Tshidiso Bosiu and Rene Kalmer became the latest winners – walking away with R100 000 respectively. Both runners also pocketed an additional R 10,000 for various time incentives, plus Kalmer beating the 2001 race record of 2:45:37.
Kalmer broke the tape in 2:44:06 while Bosiu clocked in 2:18:10 to win the men’s category. Kalmer was followed by Poppy Mlambo who recently participated in the 16th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, which were held in Birmingham, England. Besides her prize money of R 80 000, Mlambo received an additional R 6 000 time incentive money.
Mlambo was in turn followed by four-times winner Mamoroallo Tjoka, whom many expected her to take the win for a record fifth time. She finished in 2:53:13.
Bosiu, who has only been racing for the past two years, took the men’s lead after half way, ended up clocking 2:18:10. The 27-year old was followed by two-times winner, Mabuthile Lebopo who had his suspension lifted by Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association (LAAA) on Friday, 30 October 2009. Tsotang Maine who has regularly contested the top places in men’s race since 2004, came third with a time of 2:19:49.
A record of 4923 runners completed the 19th Nedbank Soweto Marathon with another 6300 participants in the 10km walk and run events.
ShareThis