KwaZulu-Natal male athletes stole the show during the fourth Chris Hani Freedom Marathon at Sabalele Village in Cofimvaba at the weekend.
Siyabonga Nkonde and Ayanda Ncube, both from Newcastle, won the 25km and 10km events respectively.
But Ntombesintu Mfunzi and Liziwe Mabona were there to save the day for the Eastern Cape as they were the first females to cross the finish line.
In a sunny but chilly morning at the birthplace of the celebrated liberation struggle icon, thousands of athletes took part to commemorate the values of the life and times of the late former Umkhonto we Sizwe commander.
Mfunzi’s was a sweet victory as she was taking part in the marathon for the first time and was only introduced to the sport at university.
The former Heroes Marathon champion said it had been her dream to run the Chris Hani race since its inception in 2013.
“But I could not as it clashed with other races I wanted to take part in. However, seeing that none of my fellow Eastern Cape runners were winning it, I decided to prioritise it this year and win it for the province,” Mfunzi said.
“Look, it was quite easy for me because where I grew up in Ntsimbakazi village, they have natural hills just like the ones here.
“My victory was also due to proper planning as I started training in November last year already which put my fitness level high and made me believe that I was in it to win it.”
Mfunzi, who has represented the country in the World Champions in cross-country, is now targeting the Cape Town City Marathon in four months’ time which she believes she can win having not finished outside the top 10 in all events she took part in since 2004.
The 34-year-old said having to juggle between work and sport was a challenge standing in her way towards international stardom, something she believes would have been achieved by now had she been doing full-time running.
For 10km champion Mabona, opening a big gap between her and the pack early on and then maintaining the same pace steered her to victory.
She was, however, not entirely happy with how the event was organised.
Mabona, a sport science graduate, said: “It is very rare that you will see a long-distance event starting so late in the day . That’s just not good for athletes as it affects us negatively.”
The 28-year-old only a week ago j took part in the OR Tambo Marathon in Bloemfontein where she came fourth.
The KwaZulu-Natal duo Nkonde and Ncube, who monopolised the male section, also happen to train together and credited their trainer, Vusi Madlala, for the victory.
“Team work is our motto and we believe in motivating each other which helps a great deal,” Nkonde said.
“Personally, I executed my strategy well because I read my opponents’ weaknesses and turn them into my strengths.”
Nkonde said he had not planned to win the race as his participation was only to prepare himself for the Durban Marathon next month.
The event, other than starting an hour later than its scheduled starting time, went relatively well although there was big room for improvements. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
East Cape females excel at Freedom Run
Siyabonga Nkonde and Ayanda Ncube, both from Newcastle, won the 25km and 10km events respectively.
But Ntombesintu Mfunzi and Liziwe Mabona were there to save the day for the Eastern Cape as they were the first females to cross the finish line.
In a sunny but chilly morning at the birthplace of the celebrated liberation struggle icon, thousands of athletes took part to commemorate the values of the life and times of the late former Umkhonto we Sizwe commander.
Mfunzi’s was a sweet victory as she was taking part in the marathon for the first time and was only introduced to the sport at university.
The former Heroes Marathon champion said it had been her dream to run the Chris Hani race since its inception in 2013.
“But I could not as it clashed with other races I wanted to take part in. However, seeing that none of my fellow Eastern Cape runners were winning it, I decided to prioritise it this year and win it for the province,” Mfunzi said.
“Look, it was quite easy for me because where I grew up in Ntsimbakazi village, they have natural hills just like the ones here.
“My victory was also due to proper planning as I started training in November last year already which put my fitness level high and made me believe that I was in it to win it.”
Mfunzi, who has represented the country in the World Champions in cross-country, is now targeting the Cape Town City Marathon in four months’ time which she believes she can win having not finished outside the top 10 in all events she took part in since 2004.
The 34-year-old said having to juggle between work and sport was a challenge standing in her way towards international stardom, something she believes would have been achieved by now had she been doing full-time running.
For 10km champion Mabona, opening a big gap between her and the pack early on and then maintaining the same pace steered her to victory.
She was, however, not entirely happy with how the event was organised.
Mabona, a sport science graduate, said: “It is very rare that you will see a long-distance event starting so late in the day . That’s just not good for athletes as it affects us negatively.”
The 28-year-old only a week ago j took part in the OR Tambo Marathon in Bloemfontein where she came fourth.
The KwaZulu-Natal duo Nkonde and Ncube, who monopolised the male section, also happen to train together and credited their trainer, Vusi Madlala, for the victory.
“Team work is our motto and we believe in motivating each other which helps a great deal,” Nkonde said.
“Personally, I executed my strategy well because I read my opponents’ weaknesses and turn them into my strengths.”
Nkonde said he had not planned to win the race as his participation was only to prepare himself for the Durban Marathon next month.
The event, other than starting an hour later than its scheduled starting time, went relatively well although there was big room for improvements. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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