THE CONTENDERS
Top Male Contenders
Peter Muthubi ( SA )
Club : Nedbank Running Club Age : 39 Marathon PB : 2:17:56 ( Vereeniging , 2012 ) 50km PB : 2:55:20 ( Johannesburg , 2012 ) Last Marathon : 2:25:22 ( Potchefstroom , 2020 )
Another runner who has looked really good in training of late is Peter Muthubi . He was third in the Om Die Dam 50km ultra in 2019 , then clocked a 2:19 in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon later that same year , and has been focusing on track work in the early part of this year , to regain his speed after the lockdown months , so while his marathon PB may date back a few years , he could be an outside bet for a crack at Magawana ’ s 50km record .
Juan van Deventer ( SA )
Club : Nedbank Running Club SA Age : 31 Marathon PB : 2:26:34 ( Joburg , 2019 ) 50km PB : 2:52:55 ( Hartbeespoort , 2020 ) Last Marathon : 2:52:55 ( Hartbeespoort , 2020 )
Images : Action Photo SA
Admittedly a proverbial ‘ dark horse ’ in this event , given his marathon PB is ‘ only ’ 2:26 , the former 1500m Olympic finalist ( sixth place in 2008 ) could spring a surprise here . That ’ s based on the fact that he won the Om Die Dam 50km ultra last year , on a hilly course at altitude , in 2:52 , and more recently proved his form and endurance with a winning performance alongside Nedbank teammate Eric Ngubane in the three-day Thirsti AFRICANX Trailrun event , his first ever trail event .
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