Proudly South Africans Bongmusa Mthembu and Gerda Steyn triumphed at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon earlier today as the much-vaunted Kenyan challenge dissipated in the mist between Ou Kaapse Weg and Kirstenbosch.
Steyn crossed the finish line in 3:31:28 – just 44 seconds outside Van der Merwe’s race record, which has stood for thirty years. Many had thought it would stand for another thirty, but not anymore. “I’ll definitely be back next year for the record,” said Steyn after her run, and few who witnessed the manner of her victory doubt that she can do it.
“That was fantastic – the race went exactly as planned. It could not have been any better,” Steyn reflected. “I felt good the whole way and really enjoyed the climb up Ou Kaapse Weg. It was a great race in every way. I was not going for the record, and at 50km I realised it was not really on, so I backed off a bit.
Van Zyl fell off the pace shortly after the steep descent with Tjoka finally succumbing to yet another Steyn surge shortly before the standard marathon, which Steyn reached in 2hrs 40 min. Thereafter there was only going to be one winner, as Steyn sped home to a 7-minute victory in the second-fastest time in Two Oceans history.
“It was a great victory for South Africa. It’s fantastic that top races like the Two Oceans draws the best ultra-distance athletes on the continent to compete and that we can show that we can match the guys from the north. It was a great feeling to come past the Kenyans and Ethiopians in the final quarter of the race.
As promised, the Kenyans went out fast and were well inside record pace as Isaac Kiprorir led compatriots Abraham Kiprotich and Justin Chesire Kemboi through 10km in 31:54 – over a minute clear of the following pack.
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