Run over 46km of an undulating and technical course, Nedbank RC’s Collin Kanyimo ran a well fought race to finish 3rd. After leading for the majority of the event, Kanyimo lost time in the last 10km but still showed tenacity to hang on to the podium. 

“This was my first time to ever run on Table Mountain and even though it felt like tough obstacles the entire way, I really enjoyed it,” said Kanyimo. “I was so humbled by the beauty of the mountain and I would love to come back next year and do better.” 

Sunday morning saw the start of Africa’s only gold label marathon which also sees the even as a candidate to join the big league of marathons by hopefully becoming a World Marathon Major by 2025. There are currently only 6 marathons in the world that hold this prestigious title. With the event being a gold label race, a very strong international filed lined up at the start outside Green Point stadium which also incorporated the South African National championship. 

A large group formed in the men’s race with a very big Nedbank RC contingent upfront as the race went through the 15km mark at a projected 2:10 finish tempo. Included in the lead group were South Africans Phillimon Mathiba and Edward Mothibi the 2019 Comrades winner together with Nedbank RC Ethiopia’s Gebru Redahgne in tow. 

A break in the group with 10km to go saw the lead pack string out as the weather went from sunny to pouring rain in the blink of an eye. South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka threw in a huge surge to run away from the rest of the field to take the title in 2:10:01. Redahgne held on for 2nd, crossing the line in a new pb of 2:10:17. 

Behind him, Nedbank RC teammates Isaac Mpofu and Ngondizashe Ncube from Zimbabwe came from behind finishing in 7th and 10th respectively. Mothibi held on for a huge pb to finish in 2:13:54 behind former Two Oceans winner and Nedbank RC teammate Lebenya Nkoka who was 12th in 2:13:39. 

In the women’s race, all eyes were on Nedbank RC’s Gerda Steyn. After running a national record in the marathon earlier this year and finishing 15th in the recent Olympic Games marathon, Steyn was attempting her 3rd marathon of the year and first standard marathon ever in her home country. 

Steyn controlled the pace and almost acted as the unofficial pace maker in the ladies race, towing a group of 6 along, which included Nedbank RC teammates Aynalem Teferi and Sinke Biyadgilgn. Halfway was reached in 1:13:30 and the pace started to increase as Steyn started throwing surge after surge. 

By 35km it was down to 4, but as the athletes made their way towards Sea Point and the finish, Kenya’s Lydia Simiyu threw a surge in that nobody could match. She crossed the line in 2:25:41, the fastest marathon time ever on South African soil for the ladies. 

Teferi held on to finish 3rd in a lifetime pb of 2:26:09 as her Nedbank RC teammate Steyn crossed the line 4th in 2:26:22. Steyn also was crowned as the South African champion over the marathon distance. 

Nedbank running club national team manager and former Comrades winner Nick Bester was elated with the team’s performance in an event that marked the return of big running events in the country. 

“I’m very happy with the way the team performed this weekend and it was a success story,” said Bester. “Nedbank RC really dominated the front pack of both the men’s and Women’s races and Gerda taking the South African title is the cherry on top.” 

With over 10 000 athletes taking to the street, one hopes that the momentum carries over to next year and athletes can finally get to run their favourite races again such as the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons.