Comrades Marathon 2014 results
Durbanite Bongumusa Mthembu won his maiden Comrades Marathon after clinching the 2014 'down run' title in dramatic fashion in Durban on Sunday.
A day after he won 2014 Comrades Marathon, Mthembu says it is still difficult for him to walk, yet he feels so humbled to be the winner of this year race.
The Nedbank runner, winner of three previous gold medals in one of the world's most famous ultra marathons, crossed the line in a time of five hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds.
He finished the 89.28 kilometres race over four minutes ahead of Ludwick Mamabolo, the defending 'down run' winner from 2012.
Gift Kelehe, brother of 2001 winner Andrew, came third in a time of 5:34.39 with three-time former champion Stephen Muzhingi (5:35.18) of Zimbabwe fourth, followed by countryman Rufus Photo (5:35.30) fifth.
Sweden's Jonas Buud was the only non-African who managed to break into the men's top 10, flying a lonely flag for Europe and finishing seventh overall - nine minutes and 44 seconds behind Mthembu.
Mthembu is the fourth athlete to have won the men's race in the last four years, after Leonid Shvetsov and Muzhingi shared the championship between them from 2007 to 2011.
Briton Eleanor Greenwood broke the Russian stronghold on the Comrades Marathon by becoming the first athlete from outside eastern Europe in 11 years to win the race.
The Comrades Marathon route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban ws abuzz with activities. Scores of people lined up along the streets, singing and ululating, even before the first runner arrived.
Only 16 runners finished the race at its first running in 1921. Yesterday, more than 14 000 runners started the race in KwaZulu-Natal.
Men’s race:
1. Bongmusa Mthembu (Nedbank RC) KZN five hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds (5:28:34)
2. Ludwick Mamabolo (Nedbank RC) GAUTENG 5:33:14
3. Gift Kelehe (Samancor Chrome MC) LIMPOPO 5:34:39
4. Stephen Muzhingi (Toyota AC) ZIMBABWE 5:35:18
5. Rufus Photo (Pietersburg RR) LIMPOPO 5:35:30
6. Mncedisi Mkhize (Maxed Elite) KZN 5:36:06
7. Jonas Buud (Nedbank RC) SWEDEN 5:38:17
8. Manoko William Mokwalakwala GAUTENG 5:39:29
9. Prodigal Khumalo (Maxed Elite) ZIMBABWE 5:39:36
10. Latudi Makofane (Samancor CM) Limpopo 5:40:41
Women’s Race
1. Eleanor Greenwood (Nedbank Intl) BRITAIN 6:18:15
2. Elena Nurgalieva (Toyota AC) RUSSIA 6:23:18
3. Olesya Nurgalieva (Toyota AC) RUSSIA 6:24:51
4. Irina Antropova (Nedbank RC) GAUTENG 6:34:08
5. Jo Meek (Toyota AC) BRITAIN 6:47:02
6. Caroline Wostmann (Nedbank RC) GAUTENG 6:51:43
7. Zola Budd Pieterse (Hooters A.C) 6:55:55
8. Frida Södermark (GolF Tjalve) SWEDEN 6:57:33
9. Martinique Potgieter (Pietersburg Road Runners) LIMPOPO 7:00:46
10. Julanie Basson (Toyota AC) GAUTENG 7:02:50
Elena Nurgalieva finishes 2nd
Gift Kelehe during the Comrades Marathon 2014
General views of the start
Eleanor Greenwood with her manager Nick Bester
Bongmusa Mthembu during the Comrades Marathon 2014
Pics: Gallo