Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 64, November 2014 | Page 47

New Kid in the Cape

race report

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Legends Marathon 68km &
Half Marathon, Border, 5 October
The Eastern Cape has been dubbed the ‘Home of
the Legends’ thanks to all the great South Africans
who hailed from this area, including Madiba, and
this ultra-marathon is quickly growing a legendary
reputation of its own.

Images: Courtesy Legends Marathon

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Men’s ultra winner Marko Mambo.

Flying the Flag

ast year, in the first running of the Legends Ultra, Zimbabwean Collen
Makaza posted an impressive win in 3:50:36, but the IAU World 50km
Champion of 2010 (and silver medallist in 2012) did not return to defend his
title this time around due to injury. This year, with the windy conditions putting
paid to any challenge for the course record and the hefty incentive on offer for
a new record, fellow Zimbabwean Marco Mambo, three-time winner of the Old
Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, cantered home to claim the impressive R120,000
first prize purse in 4:05:07. Veteran Elias Mabane from Nedbank took second in
4:10:16, with Peter Muthubi rounding off the podium in 4:12:40.
In the women’s ultra race, a tight contest was won by Ethiopian visitor
Alemtsehay Kakissa, who came home in 4:50:14, breaking a long winless spell
dating back to her victory in the Beirut Marathon in 2008. Pre-race favourite
Jennifer Koech of Kenya crossed next in 4:54:31, with SA’s Riana Van Niekerk
next home in 5:12:13.

In the accompanying half marathon, local runners from the Eastern Cape
dominated the podiums. Lusapho April led the charge in 1:03:13, with Xolisa Tyali
next in 1:05:45 and Lungile Gongqa third home in 1:06:26, while the women’s
title went to Phaphama Mkumatela 1:12:15, well ahead of the next two runners
in, Constance Nyasango (1:18:08) and Firegenet Mandefiro (1:22:15).

Women’s 21km winner
Phaphama Nyasango.

A RACE FOR THE AGES…
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The Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship
AMONG THE GREATS

Images: Richard Melik

hen IRONMAN was born on the lava fields of
Hawaii in 1978, few would have anticipated that a global
movement was to ensue. Only 15 men and one woman
competed that day – today over 100,000 athletes from
all over the world accept the challenge annually. This
global spread brought IRONMAN to African shores just
over a decade ago, and the popularity of IRONMAN
South Africa has prompted the World Triathlon
Corporation to elevate the status of IRONMAN South
Africa to a continental championship race, the Standard
Bank IRONMAN African Championship.

This is only the fifth continental championship race
globally, placing South Africa alongside the United
States, Germany, Australia and Brazil as the host nation
of the flagship race on each continent. But the elevation
in status means more than just a name change, with
implications for both professional and amateur athletes.

The Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship
carries with it increased Kona ranking points for
professionals, along with a $150,000 US Dollars
professional prize purse. This means that with this single
victory, the winner will automatically gain qualification

advertorial

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to the IRONMAN World Championship. It is also an early
season race, making it an attractive proposition for the
pro’s, and we can expect some of the world’s best to
make their way to Nelson Mandela Bay to fight for the
title of IRONMAN African Champion.
For amateur athletes, South Africa also becomes a
destination of choice for those with the goal of qualifying
for triathlon’s biggest showpiece, the IRONMAN World
Championship in Kailua-Kona, with world championship
qualifying slots having increased from 50 to 75.

With less than 900 entries remaining for the
Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship
on 29 March 2015, another sell-out field is
expected. Enter today at
www.ironman.com/southafrica.

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