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Look out for more coverage of the SA Marathon Record in the next edition of Modern Athlete .
Xaba ’ s Marathon Magic Lights up Mother City
There was delight for South Africa as Glenrose Xaba made light of the blustery conditions to shatter both the South African and Sanlam Cape Town Marathon women ’ s records , in her debut marathon , on 20 October .
Image : Johann Minnaar
Going into the 2024 edition of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon , the big question was whether Glenrose Xaba , the current holder of the South African 5000m , 10,000m and 10km records , could transfer her incredible 2024 form to the marathon distance . She answered that question emphatically by not just winning the women ’ s race , but adding the national marathon record to her list of accolades . Xaba clocked an impressive time of 2:22:22 to shave one minute and 40 seconds off the former course record ( 2:24:02 ), as well as a further second off Gerda Steyn ’ s previous best marathon time for a South African woman ( 2:24:03 ).
The 2024 men ’ s title went to Abdisa Tola of Ethiopia , younger brother of Tamirat Tola , who was crowned Olympic Marathon Champion in Paris earlier this year . The younger Tola also broke the course record in Cape Town , clocking 2:08:16 to shave 15 seconds off SA ’ s Stephen Mokaka ’ s six-year-old benchmark , but his impressive feat was somewhat overshadowed by Xaba ’ s performance .
The starting line-up of 16,800 athletes included the deepest ever elite field assembled for a marathon on African soil . The south-easterly wind threatened to derail any attempts at records and fast times , but the crowds lining the route countered the winds with raucous cheers . Their applause , the support of the City of Cape Town local government , and the new record times will all aid the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon ’ s cause in its bid to become an Abbott World Marathon Majors event in the coming years . That goal may still be on the horizon , but Xaba ’ s dreams came true on the blue carpet in the shadow of the DHL Stadium .
On Record Pace
Xaba and her fellow elite women had started fast , with the pacesetters maintaining a tempo better than the record pace . One by one , the contenders dropped from the group , but Xaba and 2015 World Marathon Champion Mare Dibaba Hurssa ( Ethiopia ) ensured the pace never eased off . It was a surprise when the defending champion , Tsige Haileslase ( also from Ethiopia ), was dropped near the 30km mark , and coming into the final 10km , only Kenya ’ s Pascalia Chepkogei remained in contention with Xaba and Dibaba Hurssa .
After stretching their legs on the downwind gallop through Sea Point , the top three turned for home with 4km to go , and this U-turn meant they would run the closing kilometres into a headwind . This suited the powerful style of Xaba , and she pulled clear to enter the finishing straight alone . “ I didn ’ t want to say before the race , but my goal had been the course record ,” Xaba said after finishing . “ I didn ’ t want to put extra pressure on myself . Even if I had finished in 2:26 , I would have been happy , because this was my first marathon , but I ’ m honestly shocked to have broken the course and national records . I ’ m humbled to have taken Gerda ’ s South African record .”
“ I was feeling really strong , and my training had made me very relaxed coming into the race ,” Xaba added . “ The first 21 kilometres were basically a tempo run for me , then until the 33-kilometre mark I had to stay strong , focused and brave , because I dropped off the front group slightly . Once I worked my way back , I felt good again and was able to push to the finish . I want to thank my manager , my coaches , and my team at Caster Semenya Training Group !” she concluded .
Ethiopian Clean-sweep
In the men ’ s race , the battle for victory also came down to the final kilometres , and a fast second half ensured that the course record was broken . Mokaka was the chief pacemaker as he took a strong lead group through the first 25km in 1:16:47 , before the attacks splintered the field . By 33km it was down to three Ethiopians – Tola , defending champion Kebede Gebre , and Mitku Tafa Dekeba .
First to drop back as they rounded the bend and hit the headwind in Beach Road was Tafa Dekeba . Tola was then able to dig deep and surge clear , opening a gap of 16 seconds over Gebre by the finish . “ I earned what I trained really hard for today . A lot of hard work went into this run . It was a beautiful race , and I ’ ll certainly be back to defend my title ,” said Tola . Melikhaya Frans was the first South African home in fifth .
2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Top 5 Men |
1 Abdisa Tola ( Ethiopia ) |
2:08:16 |
2 Adane Kebede Gebre ( Ethiopia ) |
2:08:32 |
3 Mitku Tafa Dekeba ( Ethiopia ) |
2:10:10 |
4 Edward Konana Koonyo ( Kenya ) |
2:11:24 |
5 Melikhaya Frans ( South Africa ) |
2:12:18 |
Top 5 Women |
1 Glenrose Xaba ( South Africa ) |
2:22:22 |
2 Mare Dibaba Hurssa ( Ethiopia ) |
2:22:36 |
3 Pascalia Chepkogei ( Kenya ) |
2:22:49 |
4 Viola Chepngeno ( Kenya ) |
2:23:23 |
5 Emmah Cheruto Ndiwa ( Kenya ) |
2:25:14 |
For more information , please visit www . capetownmarathon . com or click here to view the full results from the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon . 5