Selam Abere Alebachew (Ethiopia) won the women's marathon in 2:51:47. Rutendo Nyahora (Zimbabwe) won the women's half-marathon in 1:19:28, and Philemon Mathiba from the the Nedbank Development Club in Klerksdorp won the men's 10 km-race in 30:30.
But they were not the only Nedbank Running Club athletes who held their own at the Mandela Day Marathon. It is impressive to note that of the 18 elite podium positions in the men's and women's races (42 km,
21 km and 10 km), eight were taken by the 'runners in the green vests'.
Other Nedbank Running Club athletes who got onto the podium were:
Tekletsion Kassahun Tefera (Ethiopia), who finished second in the men's marathon in 2:29:07, and Melles Kennedy who finished third in 2:30:38.
Chelita Bogale Asefa crossed the line in second place in the women's marathon in 2:59:14.
Maria Ganthale Shai, who finished second in the women's half-marathon in 1:20:44, is another athlete from the Nedbank Development Club in Klerksdorp, coached by Pio Mpolokeng who is doing a brilliant job for the Green Dream Team. David Manja finished second in the men's half-marathon in 1:04:52.
Alebachew, who spoke through her interpreter, said she would definitely be coming back next year. 'I am coming back next year, because I have much love for Madiba. He is our hero. He made African people free from slavery, and he was a good leader.'
In the men's marathon Tsepang Ramonene (Lesotho) was in the lead for most of the race and won in 2:29:07. The athletes from the Nedbank Running Club ran tactically and became stronger as the race progressed.
The men's half-marathon turned out to be a humdinger between the Olympian, Elroy Gelant, and David Manja. After 11 km the two of them, along with three other athletes, were still running shoulder to shoulder. The real racing only started at the last 2 km, with Gelant pushing the pace. Only Manja managed to keep up with him, but in the end, Gelant won by 16 seconds. His winning time was 1:04:36.
The Nedbank athletes ascribed their success to the support they get from NB Sport, incorporating the Nedbank Running Clubs.