Nedbank running club dream team athlete Lungile Gongqa had one of the best races of his life to lead home team South Africa to the team gold medal in the World 50km Championships ruin over the weekend in Brasov, Romania.
The former Two Oceans Marathon winner was in high spirits after the race which also saw him finish 2nd overall to add a podium finish for the quietly spoken athlete. It was a good day for the Gongqa family as wife Ivy also finished on the podium back in South Africa in the Langebaan Half Marathon. Behind him, Nedbank running club team mates Edward Mothibi as well as Joseph Manyedi who formed part of the 6-man squad finished in 5th and 11th place respectively in which was without a doubt the most competitive World 50km championships to date. Manyedi’s time of 2:51:46 for 11th would have won any of the previous editions showing the depth of the event!
In the ladies’ race, Ally Dixon from Great Britain, an accomplished 2:28 marathon runner, took to her first ultra and won in a new World record of 3:07:20 to eclipse South Africa’s Frith Van Der Merwe’s 30 years old time of 3:08:39. Nedbank RC athletes Ntombesintu Mfunzi, Tanith Maxwell, Fikile Mbuthuma and Deanne Horn formed part of the ladies team. Mfunzi finished in 34th position with Maxwell (37th), Mbuthuma (39th) and Horn failing to finish. The ladies team finished in a credible 5th place amongst the numerous nations taking part.
“One word can describe my race and that is SHATTERED,” said Maxwell after the race. “My training simulated nothing of what I was capable of on race day, so I am very disappointed with how the race went. I will have to look back to see what could have gone wrong.” Maxwell had started well on the 11-lap course, running in the top 5 for the first 3 laps before running into trouble.
Nedbank running club national team manager Nick Bester was the coach of the South African team was delighted in the team’s performances. “An individual podium finish in the men’s leading the team home to team gold and a 5th place in the team from the ladies, we are proud of them,” tweeted Bester.
Over in England, Gerda Steyn won the Middlesbrough 10km for the 3rd year in a row. The ever-smiling Steyn ran yet another PB, finishing in 33:05. “Very happy with another PB as I start this marathon training block for New York,” said Steyn. “32 minutes I am coming for you!”
World 50km Championships
MEN (Nedbank RC athletes listed only)
2. Lungile Gonqa 2:48:26
5. Edward Mothibi 2:49:49
11. Joseph Manyedi 2:51:46
WOMEN (Nedbank RC athletes listed only)
34. Ntombesintu Mfunzi 3:44:23
37. Tanith Maxwell 3:45:32
39. Fikile Mbuthuma 3:47:15
Middlesbrough 10km
WOMEN
1. Gerda Steyn (Nedbank RC) 33:05
Satori Camel Run
WOMEN
G’masters:
3. Charmaine Cupido (Nedbank RC) 1:44:38
West Coast AC Half Marathon & 10 km
Half marathon
MEN
Veterans:
2. Vakalisa Kopolo (Nedbank RC) 1:13:25
WOMEN
Masters:
1. Obertina Kanyongo (Nedbank RC Zim) 1:33:43
10 km
MEN
3. Mthandazo Qhina (Nedbank RC) 32:02
Veterans:
1. Mthandazo Qhina (Nedbank RC) 32:02
G/g'masters:
1. Henry Cleophas (Nedbank RC) 49:03
Juniors:
2. Justice Kanyongo (Nedbank RC Zim) 35:38
WOMEN
G’masters:
1. Charmaine Cupido (Nedbank RC) 50:37
Despatch Superspar 10 km
MEN
Veterans:
1. Anele Maliza (Nedbank RC) 33:32
Masters:
1. Sithembiso Yozo (Nedbank RC) 36:58
G/g'masters:
2. Eddie Eades (Nedbank RC) 47:16
WOMEN
1. Ndileka Mvakwendlu (Nedbank RC) 39:27
G/g'masters:
2. Dorothy Hart (Nedbank RC) 1:23:54
Khayelitsha 10 km
MEN
Veterans:
1. Vakalisa Kopolo (Nedbank RC) 33:26
Masters:
1. Andrew Cooper (Nedbank RC) 35:56
G’masters:
1. Robbie Lindsay (Nedbank RC) 42:38
Langebaan Half Marathon & 10 km
Half marathon
MEN
WOMEN
3. Ivy Gongqa (Nedbank RC) 1:33:03
Nkandla Mayoral 10 km
MEN
3. Thobani Chagwe (Nedbank RC) 34:24
Schoemanshoek Half Marathon & 10km
Half Marathon
MEN
1. Lloyd Bosman (Nedbank RC) 1:09:41
2. John April (Nedbank RC) 1:12:15
3. Gershwill Jacobs (Nedbank RC) 1:17:02
Masters:
1. Anton Chevalier (Nedbank RC) 1:29:54
Grandmaster:
1. Andre Barnardo (Nedbank RC) 1:44:50
WOMEN
1. Teresa Betser (Nedbank RC) 1:36:05 (Also 1st vet)
2. Annatjie Botes (Nedbank RC) 1:40:39 (Also 1st Grand master)
10km
MEN
1. Ettienne Plaatjies (Nedbank RC) 31:38
2. Godwin Heyns (Nedbank RC) 33:00
3. Julius Korkee (Nedbank RC) 34:28
Great Grandmaster:
1. Andre Fourie (Nedbank RC) 1:07:33
WOMEN
3. Ilse Carlsen (Nedbank RC) 52:38