Foreign runners dominate Soweto Marathon
02 November 2015
Top Ethiopian runner Sintanyehu Legese Yinesu, winner of the 2014 edition of the Soweto Marathon, beat an inspired field of athletes to successfully defend his title on Sunday November 1 in a race yet again dominated by foreign runners.
Yinesu won the tightly contested race in 2:23:19, narrowly beating Zimbabwean contender Mike Fokoroni, who finished in 2:24:12. Kenyan national John Kirui took third place in 2:25:25.
The only South African who finished in the Top 10 in this gruelling 42.2km race was Africa Mailola, who came in ninth place. In the women’s section Kenyan Hariet Chebore won in 2:49:52, followed by Ethiopian nationals Amelework Fikadu Bosho and Selam Abese Alebachew in second and third positions respectively. South Africa’s Thoriso Monare finished the race in seventh position.
The 21.1km race was, however, dominated by South Africans, with Elroy Gelant, David Manja and Sibusiso Nzima coming first, second and third respectively. Among top personalities who took part in the marathon were Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Councillor Mondli Gungubele, Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and former soccer star Marks Maponyane.
Premier Makhura said the 21st edition of the Soweto Marathon had achieved what the provincial government and the City of Johannesburg had always been hoping for – taking the race to the people of Soweto.Premier Makhura, who participated in the 10km race and finished in one hour and 20 minutes, said this year’s marathon routes had been chosen to specifically ensure that participants ran past some of the iconic and historic parts of the world-famous township.
“The organisers of the race, under the leadership of the City of Johannesburg, made sure that its almost 20 000 participants got to feel the warmth of the township and interact with its people. The participants, who come from all over the continent, have surely felt the ambience of Soweto and enjoyed interacting with our people, who were out there in their numbers very early in the morning to extend their hospitality to the participants,” said Premier Makhura.
He said the race also sought to contribute to the township’s economic rejuvenation, nation building and social cohesion.
“Our SMMEs (small, micro and medium enterprises) have surely benefited from this event in that the routes chosen were targeted mostly at them as well,” said the Premier.
He added that the 2015 Soweto Marathon was the best – well-organised and well-received.
He said “the next edition would have to take a lot from this one and become even better”.
“We can only get better and grow from strength to strength,” Premier Makhura said.