42.2km Marathon Elites
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon defending champion and record holder Stephen Mokoka , and SA National Marathon champion Jenet Mbhele are among South Africa ’ s top contenders in the men ’ s and women ’ s field on 16 October .
In addition to boasting an impressive running CV – he is the reigning South African 10km and Half Marathon record holder , set a new Sanlam Cape Town Marathon event record of 2:08.31 in 2018 , and won the marathon again in 2021 – Mokoka also broke the 50km world record earlier this year , and is hungry for a third win on the revised marathon route .
With 2021 ’ s 2nd place winner Gebru Redahgne out of contention , his countrymen Abdi Kebede and Gebretsadik Abraha , as well as Kenyan Raymond Choge , hope to claim a spot on the podium .
Meanwhile , South African Sibusiso Nzima is poised to make a big comeback after a period plagued by injury . He has been working with a new coach since 2020 and is excited to see his training pay off in October .
In the women ’ s field Ethiopian Mereset Dinke will pose a serious challenge after setting her marathon PB in 2:25.12 at the Valencia Marathon in Spain in December 2021 and winning the Geneva Marathon in May this year . Jenet Mbhele hopes that her hard work will pay off on 16 October , while Stella Marais is in top form after winning the Peninsula Marathon earlier this year .
Men - Top Contenders :
NAME AGE COUNTRY PB FAST FACTS Stephen Mokoka ( Boxer )
Gebretsadik Abraha
37 South Africa 2:07.40
30 Ethiopia 2:06:23
• Defending Sanlam Cape Town Marathon champ and event record holder .
• Set his marathon best in Shanghai in 2015 , and the SA Half Marathon record at the 2020 World Half Marathon Champs in Gdynia .
• Broke the 50km world record world record at the Nedbank # Runified 50km in Gqeberha in March .
• Set new course record at the Guangzhou Marathon in 2019 - 2:08:04 .
• Had some great marathon performances in 2022 , with a 3rd place at the Dhaka Marathon , and winning the La Route du Louvre in France in May .
Abdi Kebede
25 Ethiopia 2:06:43
• He has been solely focused on training for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon this year , and his coach is confident that he will be ready to chase a podium .
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