LEBENYA NKOKA 3LESOTHOWINS THE OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON #OMTOM2014

MEDIA RELEASE

LEBENYA NKOKA WINS THE OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON

(Cape Town, 19 April 2014) Lesotho runner, Lebenya Nkoka from team Maxed Elite, won the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon today in a time of 03:09:52.

Nkoka, who came 9th in 2013, attributed focused altitude training, speed work and strong coaching support to his victory. “We work hard as a group and train together at high altitudes,” said Nkoka, who has been living and training in Maseru since January this year.

Nkoka added that the team receive significant support from the Lesotho Ministry of Gender & Youth, Sports & Recreation. The Ministry is currently grooming athletes for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Second place went to veteran Hendrick Ramaala (Nedbank), who ran his first Two Oceans Ultra in a time of 03:11:33, while Masilo Matjiane from Lesotho crossed the finish line in 03:12:00, taking the third position.

In the ladies’ race, it was third time lucky for Russian champ Nina Podnebesnova, who finally achieved a win after coming 5th in 2013 and 2011 respectively. She crossed the finish line in a time of 03:40:07, three minutes ahead of Ethiopian Shitaye Debellu (03:43:37).

Podnebesnova noted that her victory was the result of changing her coach over the past year, who had made her focus on cross country and speed work.

For the second year, Russian twins Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva couldn’t perform as they had hoped, with the sisters battling flu. Elena took third place in a time of 03:43:59, with Olesya only managing 6th place.

In the Half Marathon race, athletes battled windy conditions from start to finish. Defending champion Stephen Mokoka (Team Transnet) won the men’s race in 01:04:16 – almost a minute slower than his 2013 time – beating Joel Mmone (Nedbank) and Sibabalwe Mzazi (Team Transnet) to the finish.

The ladies’ race belonged to Lebo Phalula (Maxed Elite), who comfortably ran to victory in a time of 01:14:00. Rene Kalmer came second in 01:14:23, with Gezashigh Gemeda of Ethiopia taking third in 01:15:02.

A record field of athletes lined up for a windy and chilly start at this year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon.

“Despite the cold start, things heated up quickly, which made for a slower overall Ultra Marathon and resulted a record number of athletes completing the Ultra in between six and seven hours,” said Chet Sainsbury of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, who also completed his 32nd Ultra Marathon this year.

Sainsbury added that the wind also contributed to a slower Half Marathon.

Title Sponsor Old Mutual had originally offered a R1-million prize to the male and female runner to break the Ultra Marathon records. But as Easter Saturday drew to a close, the 1988 and 1989 records established by Thompson Magawana and Frith van der Merwe respectively, remained in place for another year.

Race Results

56km Men
1st: Lebanya Nkoka (Maxed Elite) (03:09:52)
2nd: Hendrick Ramaala (Nedbank) (03:11:33)
3rd: Masilo Matjiane (Lesotho) (03:12:00)

56km Ladies
1st: Nina Podnebesnova (Russia) (03:40:07)
2nd: Shitaye Debellu (Ethiopia) (03:43:37)
3rd: Elena Nurgalieva (Russia) (03:43:59)

21km Men
1st: Stephen Lesego Mokoka (Transnet) (01:04:16)
2nd: Joel Mmone (Nedbank) (01:04:29)
3rd: Sibabalwe Mzazi (Transnet) (01:04:29)

21km Ladies
1st: Lebo Phalula (Maxed Elite) (01:14:00)
2nd: Rene Kalmer (Nedbank) (01:14:23)
3rd: Gezashigh Gemeda (Ethiopia) (01:15:02)

@ComradesRace Marathon Substitution Process to close soon #Comrades2014

Media Release: Comrades Marathon Substitution Process to close soon

With 40 days to go to the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has reminded South African runners who were unable to enter the 2014 race during the official entry period (1 September – 30 November 2013) to try and secure their place on the Start line.

The 2014 Substitution process runs for the month of April and allows for a runner who has not entered to substitute for an entrant who has withdrawn; or intends to withdraw from the 2014 edition of The Ultimate Human Race.

The Comrades Marathon Substitution Rule was introduced for the very first time in 2012 and now forms part of the CMA’s official race rules. The Substitution process officially opened on 1 April and closes on 30 April 2014.

The completed application forms as specified in the Substitution Rule must reach the CMA office by 30 April 2014. There will be no extension of this deadline.

Athletes still intending to submit Substitution application forms are advised to visit the official Comrades Marathon website at www.comrades.com for the downloadable forms and the comprehensive list of rules and regulations which govern the Substitution process.

Race Director Rowyn James says, ‘The applications for Substitutions are coming in thick and fast. Runners must remember to send in their completed application forms to the CMA before the 30th of April. We look forward to seeing more runners on the Start line for yet another fantastic Comrades Marathon on 1 June 2014.’

#CorruptionWatch Join @CorruptionWatch Online Community #BeTheChange #SouthAfrica

Corruption Watch has recently launched an online community called Corruption Watch Connected. The aim of this platform is to give you an opportunity to engage with CW, interact with other like-minded corruption fighters, and actively participate in thought-provoking discussions around corruption-related issues. We are currently discussing what different political parties are planning to do to combat corruption in SA. We want to know if these solutions are viable and find ways to hold our leaders accountable to their promises. Have your say! Join the discussion! Be part of the change that you want to see.

All you need to do is register on the site, join a group that you are interested in/or create a new group, and get the conversation flowing.

www.corruptionwatchconnected.org

Bonitas Comrades Marathon Novice Project @ComradesRace 6 Free Seminars in South Africa

6 Bonitas Comrades Novice Seminars have been arranged in 6 major South African towns. Last week saw Pretoria, Sandton and Boksburg hosting the first three seminars.

Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban will host the final three on the following dates:

The seminars are fun, interactive and informative. Attendees at these seminars will get an opportunity to ask direct questions to the Comrades Marathon Coach and other experts in topics including but not limited to: injury prevention and treating; training; shoes; tapering and nutrition.
These seminars are free of charge and open to all runners.

Bookings are not necessary! For more information contact Thami Vilakazi on email: thami@comrades.com