By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
File Photo: Gerda Steyn wins her seventh successive Two Oceans title in Cape Town.
Two Oceans Marathon queen Gerda Steyn clinched her seventh consecutive title in a time of 3:27:43 in Cape Town on Saturday.
Veteran Kenyan athlete Pamela Jepchumba, who won the City 2 City ultra-marathon and the Soweto Marathon last year, finished second on her Two Oceans debut in 3:33:31.
Nobukhosi Tshuma of Zimbabwe rounded off the podium, grabbing third spot in 3:38:34.
“It’s a team effort. I have so much support behind me and belief in me from an entire country, and today I ran with that in my heart, so I want to thank everyone for their support,” said Steyn, who was the only South African woman in the top 10.
Meanwhile Aurthur Jantjies, competing over the 56km distance for the first time, broke away from former winner Onalenna Khonkhobe in the closing stages to take an impressive victory in 3:09:25.
Khonkhobe faded on the hills in the chase for the line, but he held on for second place in 3:10:00, and Zimbabwean athlete Blessing Waison was third in 3:11:13.
“In my head I thought ‘let them do the work and run right behind them’ because I didn’t want to use too much energy before the finish and wanted to come through at the end,” Jantjies said.
Two Oceans results
Men
- 1 Arthur Jantjies (RSA) 3:09:25
- 2 Onalenna Khonkhobe (RSA) 3:10:00
- 3 Blessing Waison (ZIM) 3:11:13
- 4 Dennis Kipkosgei (KEN) 3:11:29
- 5 Tumelo Moja (RSA) 3:12:07
- 6 Sphamandla Nkosi (RSA) 3:12:42
- 7 Siboniso Sikhakhane (RSA) 3:12:42
- 8 Kalideni Malixole (RSA) 3:12:49
- 9 Nadolo Mphatso (MAW) 3:13:16
- 10 Musawenkosi Mthalane (RSA) 3:13:32
Women
- 1 Gerda Steyn (RSA) 3:27:43
- 2 Margaret Jepchumba (KEN) 3:33:31
- 3 Nobukhosi Tshuma (ZIM) 3:38:34
- 4 Shelmith Muriuki (KEN) 3:39:14
- 5 Rholex Jelimo (KEN) 3:40:39
- 6 Mildred Chepkemei (KEN) 3:42:42
- 7 Bize Beyira Negasa (ETH) 3:43:00
- 8 Neheng Khatala (LES) 3:43:43
- 9 Courtney Olsen (USA) 3:44:40
- 10 Loveness Madziva (ZIM) 3:48:54.