Just as in 2023, Arthur Ford Running Club’s Thamsanqa Mthembu and Kenyan Denis Kipkosgei of Uniwisp (Nedbank Running Club Limpopo in 2023) fought it out for first place in the 2024 Tswelopele Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Marathon.

The 42.2km, 21.1km and 10km races were run in extremely hot conditions on Saturday, November 2. All three races finished at Mbombela Stadium.

Mthembu beat Kipkosgei by two minutes and 13 seconds last year. This year it was a lot closer, as just 13 seconds separated first and second place after 42.2km. It was Mthembu who defended his title in 02:16:07. Kipkosgei finished second in 02:16:20.

Lindelani Mjwara of Hollywood Athletics Club took third place in 02:18:18.

Kebogile Mothadi of Pan African Resources paced herself almost perfectly in the women’s marathon to win in 02:53:25. Melinda Jansen van Vuuren of Hollywood Athletics Club was second in 02:55:07 and LowMed’s Nomvula Sithole third in 02:58:48. Sithole had finished second and Jansen van Vuuren third in last year’s half-marathon.

The vision-impaired runner, Bidi Barrett of Coaldust Witbank, finished the 2023 men’s race in 1 529th place in 05:39:04, missing the 2024 Comrades Marathon qualification time. This year he clocked 04:50:18 on the official results, however, his start line to finish line time was within the 04:49:59 for Comrades qualification.

Some 2 895 runners finished the marathon.

The men’s half-marathon winner, Reghen Magwai, crossed the finish line on the hour mark. Uniwisp’s Abednico Mashabo finished second in 01:01:05. Impala Marathon Club’s Mohau Rasogo was third in 01:01:15.

Peris Lobakan of Ngodwana Marathon Club ran to victory in the women’s half-marathon in 01:17:20. Defending champion Roseline Isaiah of Uniwisp was second in 01:21:49, and Greenstone Hill Running Club’s Nicolene Janse van Rensburg third in 01:22:49.

There were 1 776 finishers in the 21.1km race.

Other 42.2km top three places
• Male 40-49
1st: Mthandazo Qhina (RCS Gugs) – 02:26:04
2nd: Ntutuko Maseko (Nedbank LVCC) – 02:29:59
3rd: Mpho Mokoena (Pan African Resources) – 02:31:01
• Male 50-59
1st: Nhlanhla Dladla (Private) – 02:42:26
2nd: Bongani Zwane (Team Vitality) – 02:48:44
3rd: Sifiso Zimu (Hollywood AC) – 02:55:58
• Male 60-69
1st: Jabulani Gamete (Boksburg AC) – 02:54:47
2nd: Jerry Maseko (Nedbank LVCC) – 03:15:46
3rd: Mncedisi Dlova (Cheetahs AC) – 03:16:56
• Male 70+
1st: Butch Grobbelaar (Randmark) – 05:37:35
2nd: Nkeke Ranamane (Carlton) – 05:47:15
• Female 40-49
1st: Nomcebo Mthethwa (Empangeni AC) – 03:14:01
2nd: Elizabeth Douglas (Irun) – 03:21:19
3rd: Richelle Rankin (Randburg Harriers) – 03:25:08
• Female 60-69
1st: Sarah Crooks (Mindful Runners Club) – 03:54:38
2nd: Lynn Da Silva (Jeppe) – 03:58:59
3rd: Hanlie Els (Windgate) – 03:59:11

Other 21.1km top three places
• Male juniors
1st: Bhekumazi Khoza (Gijima Nkomazi AC) – 01:09:55
2nd: Lesedi Morodi (Barberton) – 01:15:12
• Male 40-49
1st: Noko Mabotja (SAPS Limpopo) – 01:05:35
2nd: Xolani Ngomane (Mogalakwane Mine AC) – 01:17:01
3rd: Alfred Mahlangu (Emalahleni MC) – 01:20:59
• Male 50-59
1st: Moria Maiga (Bella’s AC) – 01:11:56
2nd: Alphios Motloung (Nelspruit MC) – 01:22:03
3rd: John Nyathi (KNP MC) – 01:29:15
• Male 60-69
1st: Eric Venter (Windgate) – 01:26:16
2nd: Mandla Mnisi (Vryheid AC) – 01:32:57
3rd: Brian Wilson (Boksburg) – 01:33:42
• Male 70-79
1st: Desmond Jelliman (Middelburg MC) – 01:47:08
2nd: Bennie Burger (Uniwisp) – 01:59:19
3rd: Alwn van Jaarsveld (LowMed) – 02:08:00
• Female junior
1st: Ava Oosthuizen (Bella’s) – 01:42:52
2nd: Danielle van Vuren (Windgate) – 01:45:03
• Female 40-49
1st: Ziphindile Dlamini (Correctional Services) – 01:29:57
2nd: Nadia Groenewald (Greenstone Hill) – 01:40:14
3rd: Nicola Mason (Private) – 01:40:44
• Female 50-59
1st: Sonne Odendaal (LowMed) – 01:32:08
2nd: Gillian Sieling (Private) – 01:34:36
3rd: Liezel Pieters (Runzone) – 01:41:05
• Female 60-69
1st: Allison Hay (LowMed) – 01:40_28
2nd: Monica Tyler (Carlton) – 01:54:13
3rd: Leonie Gilliland (Solidariteit) – 01:56:08
• Female 70+
1st: Estelle Steenekamp (Phobians) – 02:47:30
2nd: Lieve Geuens (Fit 2000 Bedfordview) – 02:47:36
3rd: Maryna Meintjes (RWFL Gauteng) – 02:58:04.