SA duo’s triumph reclaims challenging 42km Soweto marathon
Ntsindiso Mphakathi’s win, in particular, was a relief, as no male local had won since 2011
05 November 2023 - 16:17
byNkareng Matshe
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Soweto Marathon runner Irvette Van Zyl at the finish line during the 2023 Soweto Marathon in Johannesburg, November 5 2023.
Picture: ANTONIO MUCHAVE/
SA reclaimed the African Bank Soweto Marathon on Sunday, as Ntsindiso Mphakathi and Irvette van Zyl emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s events.
The duo’s triumph in the challenging 42km race was a major fillip for a country still caught in celebration after the Springboks’ recent Rugby World Cup victory, and it was fitting that Mphakathi and Van Zyl were cheered on vociferously as they arrived first at FNB Stadium.
Mphakathi’s win, in particular, was a welcome relief for SA, as no male local had won since 2011. He breasted the rope in 2h 19min 13sec, ahead of 2022’s winner, Ethiopian Daba Debele, and Tonny Skink of Zimbabwe.
It took three months of moderate preparation for Soweto runner Mphakathi to end SA’s long wait for a victory at this event, as his coach Hendrick Ramaala prioritised speed work for the athlete.
“I didn’t do too many races this year,” Mphakathi told reporters. “My last long race was the Comrades Marathon [in June]. After that, we did track work and I told my coach I could sense something big coming. And it happened today.”
Sunday’s win was an apt return for the athlete who had come close to podium finishes for the past decade, finishing fifth in 2022. “Winning here was a big achievement for me,” Mphakathi beamed. “I have tried since 2013 and unfortunately I didn’t make it then. But it shows with patience you can achieve much. I nearly gave up but my coach pushed me.”
Van Zyl, meanwhile, had forecast a record but she cruelly fell 33sec short, coming in at 2:34.16 ahead of Selam Gebre of Ethiopia and Kenyan Faith Chepkoech.
“The dream [of breaking the record] is still there,” said Van Zyl. “This was again a torturous race, but I know it very well. When we got to Orlando Stadium [around the 30km mark] that’s when I broke away because that’s where the race really starts.”
Van Zyl has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, but she said she’ll strive to improve her time, while Mphakathi has next set his sights on the Two Oceans ultra marathon.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
SA duo’s triumph reclaims challenging 42km Soweto marathon
Ntsindiso Mphakathi’s win, in particular, was a relief, as no male local had won since 2011
SA reclaimed the African Bank Soweto Marathon on Sunday, as Ntsindiso Mphakathi and Irvette van Zyl emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s events.
The duo’s triumph in the challenging 42km race was a major fillip for a country still caught in celebration after the Springboks’ recent Rugby World Cup victory, and it was fitting that Mphakathi and Van Zyl were cheered on vociferously as they arrived first at FNB Stadium.
Mphakathi’s win, in particular, was a welcome relief for SA, as no male local had won since 2011. He breasted the rope in 2h 19min 13sec, ahead of 2022’s winner, Ethiopian Daba Debele, and Tonny Skink of Zimbabwe.
It took three months of moderate preparation for Soweto runner Mphakathi to end SA’s long wait for a victory at this event, as his coach Hendrick Ramaala prioritised speed work for the athlete.
“I didn’t do too many races this year,” Mphakathi told reporters. “My last long race was the Comrades Marathon [in June]. After that, we did track work and I told my coach I could sense something big coming. And it happened today.”
Sunday’s win was an apt return for the athlete who had come close to podium finishes for the past decade, finishing fifth in 2022. “Winning here was a big achievement for me,” Mphakathi beamed. “I have tried since 2013 and unfortunately I didn’t make it then. But it shows with patience you can achieve much. I nearly gave up but my coach pushed me.”
Van Zyl, meanwhile, had forecast a record but she cruelly fell 33sec short, coming in at 2:34.16 ahead of Selam Gebre of Ethiopia and Kenyan Faith Chepkoech.
“The dream [of breaking the record] is still there,” said Van Zyl. “This was again a torturous race, but I know it very well. When we got to Orlando Stadium [around the 30km mark] that’s when I broke away because that’s where the race really starts.”
Van Zyl has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, but she said she’ll strive to improve her time, while Mphakathi has next set his sights on the Two Oceans ultra marathon.
Soweto Marathon holder Van Zyl predicts record will fall
Irvette van Zyl’s talent and tenacity give her a chance at Soweto Marathon
MARK ETHERIDGE: From tragedy to triumph — Michelle Enslin’s iron-hard endurance
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