The Soweto Marathon on Sunday ended yet again in controversy when the women’s winner Mamarola Tjoka was adjudged not to have crossed the start line.
The Mr Price athlete arrived at the start late and began the race beyond the start line which according to officials had infringed the laws. After an appeal Tjoka, who had won by a six minute margin, was reinstated and awarded the first prize.
No sooner had the decision been ratified when the management of the Liberty Nike club re-appealed, based on the fact that the law firmly states that runners should start from the start line.
Notice of the appeal was forwarded to race referee Andre Drotsky and an appeal jury will be convened on Monday morning.
The men’s race also had it’s fair share of the Soweto Marathon curse. A marshalling error after the 23km mark caused the field to run short, but some quick thinking from the lead vehicle driver got the leaders back onto the route at the 27km mark.
In the end it was little-known Lesotho athlete Tsotang Maene from the Liberty Nike club who ran away with the spoils after clocking a time of 2:20:15.
Perennial bridesmaid, Luketz Swartbooi from Namibia, once again occupied second position 32 seconds adrift. He was followed by Harmony teammate Moses Mjodzi in 2:21:13.
”I will try this race for another two years and if I don’t win it then I will retire”, lamented Mjodzi.
For the 31-year-old winner there was never any doubt in his mind that he was going to win. ”My plan was to push the pace after halfway, which I did. When we got to Heartbreak Hill I used my uphill strength and stretched my lead until I was sure that they would not catch me”.
The 10km men’s race was won by Zimbabwean Cuthbert Nyasango (30:12), followed by Virimayo Juwawo (30:26) and Enos Matalane (30:28).
In the women’s 10km race, Poppy Mlambo was considered a firm favourite but she had to settle for a disappointing fourth. The race was won by a rejuvenated Louisa Leballo who came back from a lengthy illness to win convincingly in 34:32, followed by the Phalula twins, Lebogang (34:46) and Lebo (35:21).
The men’s 20km walk was won by Marc Mundell (97:13) and Olympian Nicolene Cronje (1:42:14) won the women’s event. – Sapa