19 Oct Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon Winners
Bongmusa Mthembu & Annie Bothma win Cape Town leg of the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon; Edward Mothibi is crowned overall champ
(Cape Town, 18 October 2020) – Edward Mothibi (Nedbank) and Annie Bothma (ATC Multisport) were crowned the official winners of the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon.
Their overall titles were announced after altitude adjustments were made to level the playing field among the Elite Invitational squad’s respective results from Cape Town, Potchefstroom and Pretoria.
Running in near-perfect conditions in the Mother City, Bongmusa Mthembu (Arthur Ford) took a comfortable win in Cape Town, finishing in a time of 2:17:31. Annie Bothma (ATC Multisport) took an early lead in the women’s division, which saw her run most of the marathon course alone – finishing her second-ever marathon in 02:33:35, more than 8 minutes faster than her 2019 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon time.
Meanwhile, the elite field in Pretoria and Potchefstroom battled brutal heat conditions. Despite these challenges, Phillimon Mathiba (Nedbank) finished the Pretoria course in a time of 02:18:28, while Charne Bosman (Murray & Roberts) came in at 02:56:18. Edward Mothibi (Nedbank) won the Potchefstroom leg in a time of 02:16:47, while ultra queen Ann Ashworth (Massmart) took the city’s top spot in 02:46:13.
The Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon Elite Invitational’s tri-city showdown was broadcast live on SABC2.
“We were so humbled by the absolute excitement of the elite field, and their eagerness to experience a race format that none of them have been a part of before,” says Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Race Director, Renee Jordaan.
“SA’s top runners were hungry for a race after being grounded for most of the year, and it was evident in the enthusiasm with which they embraced this unique format.”
Elana Meyer receives international peace award
Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon race weekend proceedings kicked off on Saturday morning with a short peace walk along the promenade, with delegates taking turns to carry the iconic Peace torch. The Peace torch global relay embodies humanity’s universal aspiration for peace, and promotes international friendship and understanding.
The event’s brand ambassador and golden girl of South African running, Elana Meyer, also received the coveted Torch Bearer award from the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run team.
Handing over the award to Meyer, Balarka Robinson, Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Coordinator, said that the Torch Bearer award recognises the contribution people make towards the cause of peace. “Elana personifies everything the Shi Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run stands for. She continues to encourage athletes and inspire the running community, and her spirit of oneness makes the world a better place through sport.”
“I cannot express how humbled, blessed and honoured I feel to receive this award,” said Meyer. “I have been touched by the spirit and symbolism of what the Peace torch brings. There is a flame inside all of us, and the moment the Peace torch gets handed over to the next person… that’s when the magic happens!”
The Peace torch has visited 155 countries and run more than 632 000km since 1987.
Virtual Run still underway
The Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Run kicked off at 6am (SA time) on Sunday morning with thousands of runners from all corners of the globe “running Cape Town” along their favourite routes.
Powered by a virtual app and run in local time, runners from Australia, New Zealand and East Asia has the first taste of this unique race format, and the event will only draw to a close once the final runner in America has crossed the virtual finish line.
“Feedback from our runners has been positive,” says Barry van Blerk, Sanlam Cape Town Marathon General Manager.
“I am proud that we presented a virtual run format that has never been seen in any major international marathon event before. 2020 challenged us to be innovative and think out of the box, and judging by runners’ comments, they had a great experience.”
ALL THE WINNERS
Cape Town
Top Men:
1. Bongmusa Mthembu (Arthur Ford): 02:17:32
2. Nkosikhona Mhlakwana (Maxed Elite): 02:21:41
3. Msawenkosi Mthalane (Entsika): 02:22:02
Top Women:
1. Annie Bothma (ATC Multisport): 02:33:36 (New PB)
2. Nontokozo Mkhize (Arthur Ford): 02:46:43
3. Tanith Maxwell (Boxer): 02:55:29
Pretoria
Top Men:
1. Phillimon Mathiba (Nedbank): 02:18:29
2. Philani Buthelezi (Murray & Roberts): 02:21:10
3. Kabelo Melamu (Murray & Roberts): 02:26:32
Top Women:
1. Charne Bosman (Murray & Roberts): 02:56:19
2. Yolande Maclean (Murray & Roberts): 02:57:31
3. Chrizell Roberts (Nedbank): 03:21:59
Potchefstroom
Top Men:
1. Edward Mothibi (Nedbank): 02:16:48
2. Jeremia Moshwetsi (Impala): 02:21:15
3. Peter Muthubi (Nedbank): 02:25:23
Top Women:
1. Ann Ashworth (Massmart): 02:46:14
2. Lebo Phalula (Boxer): 02:57:16
3. Melinda Jansen van Vuuren (Massmart): 03:03:37
Overall, including altitude adjustment
Men
1. Edward Mothibi (Nedbank): Alt. Adj. 02:13:11
2. Phillimon Mathiba (Nedbank): Alt. Adj. 02:14:49
3. Philani Buthelezi (Murray & Roberts): Alt. Adj. 02:17:26
Women
1. Annie Bothma (ATC Multisport): Alt. Adj. 02:33:35
2. Ann Ashworth (Massmart): Alt. Adj. 02:41:51
3. Nontokozo Mkhize (Arthur Ford): 02:46:42
