Arthur Yantjis from Hopetoun won the debut Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town, overtaking his rivals in the last two kilometers of the finish line. He claimed the title of the first marathon, setting a personal best time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 14 seconds, which marks his third victory in Cape Town this year.
In the women's race, Bise Beira Negasa from Ethiopia demonstrated impressive performance. She won by more than seven minutes despite the windy conditions prevailing on the streets of the Mother City.
Yantjis, who competes for the Pan African Resources Club, added this victory to his triumphs in the Two Oceans ultramarathon and the Peace Run 10k, which he won in April and May, respectively.
Negasa crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 42 seconds, also setting a personal record, beating Malineo Mahloko from South Africa by 7 minutes and 11 seconds.
The total number of participants in the marathon was 4,500 people, with another 22,000 athletes taking part in the 21km, 10km, and 5km races.
The 42km route passed by several famous Cape Town attractions, including District Six, Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap, Sea Point promenade, and the Table Bay coastline to Woodbridge Island in Milnerton.
In the initial stages, the headwind slowed down the runners, but after turning west, the southeast wind helped accelerate the leading contenders.
Until the first 21km, Yantjis remained in the group of leaders, which numbered 30 men. After the turn near Woodbridge Island, at the 33km mark, the peloton began to break up.
When only 2km remained until the finish, only Tsepo Ramashamole and Moses Tarakinyu were in contact with Yantjis.
Yantjis noted: 'At the 40-kilometer mark, I made my move. I thought it was the moment to give everything I had! I love running in Cape Town. The Mother City takes very good care of me.'
He also stated that his goal was to improve his personal record. 'The plan for today was to attempt a new personal record, and I did it, so I am very pleased with how the race went,' he said. He added that despite some discomfort before the training camp, he believes the camp was very successful.'
His winning time was half an hour faster than his previous personal record in the marathon distance.
Ramashamole took second place with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds, trailing Yantjis by only 10 seconds, while Tarakinyu finished third with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 34 seconds. Simon Sibeko took fourth place with a result of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 59 seconds, followed by Siboniso Sikhahane with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 11 seconds.
Negasa maintained a pace of about 3 minutes and 40 seconds per kilometer for most of the race, running alongside a pacemaker. Malineo Mahloko, Fortunat Chidzivo, and Ethel Pangiso initially kept pace with the Ethiopian, but all three fell behind over the next 11 kilometers.
By the middle of the distance, Negasa pulled away by almost eight minutes. Mahloko experienced difficulties in the middle sections before overtaking Chidzivo and Pangiso in the final kilometers. However, her late surge was not enough to catch Negasa.
Ethiopia finished in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 42 seconds, which is almost four minutes faster than her previous personal record. Mahloko took second place with a result of 2 hours, 43 minutes, and 53 seconds, and Chidzivo—third with a result of 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 55 seconds. Monica van der Merwe took fourth place, and Pangiso fifth.
Steven Ngigi Kangete from Kenya won the men's Slave Route half marathon with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 58 seconds, beating Yangu Malusi by 2 minutes and 18 seconds. Rohvaldo Ratz took third place.
In the women's half marathon, Wainalem Haftu Gebre of Ethiopia won with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 41 seconds, beating Kirsty Bell by 8 minutes and 11 seconds. Trail runner Mila Geldenhoyz was also on the podium.
Cape Town Mayor Jordyn Hill-Lewis congratulated the Nelson Mandela Foundation on hosting the first marathon, highly praising the organization of the event and the turnout of runners and spectators.
In a social media post on Sunday, Hill-Lewis announced that 26,600 runners registered for the first edition, and thousands of Cape Town residents came to support the participants along the route. He noted: 'The atmosphere was festive,' adding that 'Coesister Hill was tough!'
Organizers welcomed the competitive level of the competition. David Bellaire, Operations Director of Galoza South Africa, stated that the performances were encouraging for the future of the event. He emphasized: 'It is wonderful to see South Africans and Africans succeeding on home soil.'
Bellaire added that 'the highly competitive men's race and the personal records of our champions, despite the difficult conditions, favorably influence the future of the Nelson Mandela Marathon as a competition capable of attracting the continent's best marathon runners.'
