Irvette Van Zyl from the Nedbank running club green dream team showed that she is right on top of her come back after having an op earlier this year to take a scintillating victory in the Outsurance 94.5Kfm Gun Run half marathon.
The Pretoria based athlete made the trip to Cape Town, keen not only on running a good time but also looking for confidence ahead of the upcoming Soweto Marathon where she aims to record her 3rd win in a row after smashing the course record last year.
Taking the title in a very quick 1:12:11, an elated Van Zyl couldn’t stop smiling. “This was my first-time running Gun Run and the course had a few surprise hills and steep downs, but the views were great,” said Van Zyl afterwards. “I almost didn’t run this race as I had a few health problems a couple weeks prior to the race and was also involved in an accident last week so although it was not a PB, it felt like one!”
In last years Soweto Marathon, Van Zyl put on a stellar performance by smashing the course record in an amazing 2:33:43, a scantly 5 months after giving birth to her second son. “Sometimes we just have to have faith and let God do the rest.” With this performance of Van Zyl’s, Soweto Marathon could produce yet another thrilling event in the women’s race.
In the men’s race, Sibusiso Nzima led home another 3 Nedbank RC teammates into the top 10 with his 2nd place finish in 1:04:39. Besides Van Zyl’s great run, a standout performance of the day goes to green dream team athlete Lindikhaya Mthangayi who set a new Western Province veteran record over the half marathon distance with an amazing 1:04:56 that saw him finish 4th overall.
In the 10km woman’s race, Rudo Mhonderwa of the Nedbank Running Club Zimbabwe took the win in 34:23
Attention for most of the Nedbank RC green dream team now shifts to next weekends Soweto Marathon. The team has a long history of good performances in the event with multiple winners in both the men’s and women’s races.
OUTsurance 94.5Kfm Gun Run Half Marathon & 10 km
Half marathon
MEN
2. Sibusiso Nzima (Nedbank RC) 1:04:39
3. Misheck Sithole (Nedbank RC Zim) 1:04:50
4. Lindikhaya Mthangayi (Nedbank RC) 1:04:56
8. Xolisa Tyali (Nedbank RC) 1:07:20
Veterans:
1. Lindikhaya Mthangayi (Nedbank RC) 1:04:56 NEW WP VETERAN RECORD
2. Mthandazo Qhina (Nedbank RC) 1:09:28
Masters:
1. Andrew Cooper (Nedbank RC) 1:18:59
3. Mason Cranswick (Nedbank RC) 1:24:26
G’masters:
3. Hermanus Jonkerman (Nedbank RC) 1:33:41
WOMEN
1. Irvette Van Zyl (Nedbank RC) 1:12:11
7. Tanith Maxwell (Nedbank RC) 1:22:49
10. Jeanetta Kohler (Nedbank RC) 1:27:18
Veterans:
1. Tanith Maxwell (Nedbank RC) 1:22:49
2. Jeanetta Kohler (Nedbank RC) 1:27:18
Masters:
1 Obertina Kanyongo (Nedbank RC Zim) 1:29:55
G’masters:
1. Olga Howard (Nedbank RC) 1:42:18
10 km
MEN
Veterans:
2. Vakalisa Kopolo (Nedbank RC) 31:59
WOMEN
1. Rudo Mhonderwa (Nedbank RC Zim) 34:23
9. Mareli Van Schalkwyk (Nedbank RC) 36:41
G’masters:
1. Charmaine Cupido (Nedbank RC) 49:19
Tommy Malone Memorial 15 km
MEN
Veterans:
3. Lympson Maifo (Nedbank RC) 53:07
70+:
1. Don Charles (Nedbank RC) 70:006
Merewent 10 km Challenge
WOMEN
1. Zama Mokoena (Nedbank RC) n/t
BAKgat 10 km
MEN
Veterans:
1. Mthandazo Qhina (Nedbank RC) 32:01
2. Vakalisa Kopolo (Nedbank RC) 33:45
Masters:
1. Andrew Cooper (Nedbank RC) 37:08
G’masters:
2. Robbie Lindsay (Nedbank RC) 43:17
G/g'masters:
1. Henry Cleophas (Nedbank RC) 49:50
Wasbank Half Marathon & 10 km
Half marathon
WOMEN
40-49:
1. Beatrice Hlope (Nedbank RC) 1:42:39
10 km
MEN
3. Siphamandla Nkosi (Nedbank RC) 33:18