NMB 1City Marathon & 21.1km

Over 1300 athletes had the perfect cool weather to start at the Nelson Mandela Bay 1 City Marathon and 21.1km at Fairview racecourse on Saturday, with many out-of-town athletes competing to qualify for Two Oceans and Comrades races next year.

Malawian athlete, Mphatho Ndolo, 29, from Chiltern Club, finished in a blistering time of 2.20 on this fast course and opened a strong gap at the end to take home the R12 500 prize purse.

Gladwin Mzazi, running for Boxer, finished in second position and first in his age category (35-39) in 2.20.04, with Rirhandzu Rhangani, of RRR, finishing third position and first in his age category (40-49) in 2.24.12.

“I enjoyed the race, it was windy near the end and quite tough but I am happy with my time,” said Gladwin who is getting married in two week’s time to top runner, Lebo, one of the Phalula twins.

Noel Adams, of Gelvandale club, won his age category 50-59 in a time of 2.50.40, with Mzoli Mpalala, of Boxer, winning his 60-69 age category in a time of 3.18.44. Don Charles, of Nedbank running club, won his 70+ age category in a time of 4.08.34.

Race Director, Mike Mbambani, was happy with the turnout of runners at the event and said that the pacing initiative had worked well. “We are grateful to Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for their ongoing support and all our athletes who supported the half and full marathon races today.

“We are excited about delivering yet another successful race, and I wish to thank our LOC team,” said Mbambani.

Loveness Madziva, was the first woman home with a strong lead and a smashing time of 2.49.26, she also won her age category (35-39).“I did not like the wind but I maintained my pace, of 4min per km, so I am happy with my time”, said Loveness.

Zintle Xiniwe, of Nedbank WP, finished in second place, and first in her age category (35-39) in 2.50.44, followed by Helene van Rooyen, in third position and first in her age category (40-49), in a time of 2.58.41.

Christine Claasen, of Nedbank running club, won her 50-59 age category in a time of 3.24.26, with Elma Grundlingh winning her 60-69 age category in a time of 4.08.45. The mood at the Fairview venue was upbeat as many clubs socialized afterwards under their gazebos.

Sibahle Maqwara, of Nedbank running club won the NMB 2 City 21km in 1.08.38, with Sicelo Mashaba, of Madibaz, finishing second and third in 1.10.09 and Andre Ketchem, of Nedbank running club finishing third and first in his age group (40-49) in 1.11.33. Sibahle thanked his coach, Alec Riddle, who was also MC of the event, and said he was looking forward to training for the NMB Half Marathon in June next year.

Rodney Prins, running for Nedbank, won his age category 35-39 in a time of 1.12.26. Luyolo Dyani, of Motherwell running club, won his 50-59 age category in a time of 1.21.03. Desmond Zibi, Ikhamva athletics club, won his 60-69 age category in 1.19.25, with Hannes Els, of Madiba running club, winning his 70+ age category in a time of 1.50.02.

Cherise Carreira, running for Boxer, was the first woman home in the 21km in a superb time of 1.18.23. Cherise was happy with her win. “I really enjoyed the vibe at the start with both the 42km marathon and 21km runners starting together.

“Everyone on the route was shouting and encouraging and it was really only the last 3km which was tough with the head wind and slight incline,” said Cherise.

Kayla Nell, of Charlo athletics club, finished second in a time of 1.25.26, with Ntombezintu Mfunzi, running for Nedbank, finishing in third position and first in her age category, 40-49, in 1.25.40. Ntombi ran well and said she had reached her goal at this race. “I planned to finish in 1.25 which I achieved and I am now training for a fast marathon,” said Ntombi, who continued training during and after the birth of her baby boy and encouraged her female team-mates to keep active during their pregnancy.

Michelle Reed, of Achilles Athletics Club, won her 35-39 age category in 1.35.45, with Pauline Tunstead, of Charlo athletics club, winning her 50-59 age category in 1.43.25. Karen Brough, of Boxer, won her 60-69 age category in 1.42.13

Margie Saunders achieved her goal and ran an inspiring race winning her 70 plus age group and breaking the 70+ SA 21km record in a time of 1.40.11! The record was held by Nancy Will from the 2023 NMB Half Marathon Championship in June this year when she finished in 1.46.46.

Thanks to the Nelson Mandela Municipality and their well-established Legacy Project sponsorship, the male and female marathon winners received R12 500 cash each, from a total prize purse of over R128 000 for all marathon and half marathon age category winners.

MMC Bassie Kamana, responsible for Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture showed his support to the athletes at the event.

“NMB 1 City Marathon is an EPA League event and the only marathon on the EP Athletics calendar to qualify for Two Oceans and Comrades marathon.

“This event attracts out-of-town runners to our City and fits the City’s agenda to establish Gqeberha as the sporting destination of choice in the country.”