COMRADES MARATHON – African Winner – South Africans take Comrades first & second positions in 15 years

For the first time in fifteen years, the first and second positions in the 2012 Comrades Marathon have been secured by South Africans. The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has conveyed its whole-hearted congratulations to the 2012 winner of The Ultimate Human Race, Ludwick Mamabolo and his runner-up Bongumusa Mthembu.

Mamabolo, the Limpopo runner from Segopye Village in Turfloop finished the gruelling 89km ultra-marathon in a time of 5:31:03, beating top contenders like three-time winner Stephen Muzhingi and Comrades record-holder, Leonid Shvetsov.

Mthembu, who is based in Pietermaritzburg and has run the iconic ultra-marathon seven times consecutively, finished in a time of 5:32:42. The last time that such a South African feat was achieved was in 1997, when Charl Mattheus won the race in a time of 5:28:37 with Nick Bester following less than two minutes behind.

Mamabolo’s third running of the famed ultra-marathon saw him capture the winning position on Sunday and brought smiles to South Africans across the board by becoming the first countryman to win the title in seven years. Last year’s race saw him take the seventh position, although he secured second place in the 2010 Ultimate Human Race.

CMA Chairman, Peter Proctor says, ‘We as the CMA are very impressed with Mr Mamabolo’s feat and hereby take the opportunity to praise him for making it first to the Comrades finish line. As South Africans, we are exceptionally happy about his achievement.’

Proctor adds, ‘We are equally impressed with Mthembu’s achievements. Being a local runner, he has also made the City of Pietermaritzburg and the magic province of KwaZulu-Natal very proud. It gives us an immense feeling of pride and pleasure to be able to present the Anderson Trophy to the second placed man.’

Various figure-heads have also scooped up the opportunity to congratulate Mamabolo. President Jacob Zuma has lent his voice and vote of confidence in the Comrades winner, saying, ‘We extend hearty congratulations to Mr Mamabolo. This is another feather in South Africa’s sporting prowess and we are happy to share Mr Mamabolo’s victory and glory as South Africans.’

Zuma concluded by saying, ‘He has done exceptionally well indeed. We are very proud of his achievement, as it is evidence that hard work pays; and that discipline and dedication are vital in succeeding.’

Top 10 Male Finishers

Name	RaceNo	Country	ClubName	Time
Ludwick Mamabolo	45047	South Africa	Mr Price Sport – KZN	5:31:03
Bongmusa Mthembu	31020	South Africa	Mr Price Sport – KZN	5:32:42
Leboka Noto	49863	Lesotho	Nedbank Running Club International	5:33:31
Marko Mambo	13790	Zimbabwe	Mr Price Sport International	5:33:40
Leonid Shvetsov	49670	Russia	Nedbank Running Club International	5:35:20
Stephen Muzhingi	55925	Zimbabwe	Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC International	5:38:06
Lephetesang Adoro	37865	Lesotho	Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC International	5:38:30
Gift Kelehe	18289	South Africa	Samancor Chrome Marathon Club LP	5:38:39
Claude Moshiywa	46216	South Africa	Nedbank Running Club GN	5:39:11
Petros Sosibo	36458	South Africa	Phuma KZN	5:40:37

 
Top 10 Female Finishers

Name	RaceNo	Country	ClubName	Time
Elena Nurgalieva	19987	Russia	Mr Price Sport International	6:07:12
Eleanor Greenwood	13938	United Kingdom	Nedbank Running Club International	6:08:24
Marina Zhalybina	39390	Russia	Mr Price Sport International	6:30:54
Joasia Zakrzewski	12094	United Kingdom	Nedbank Running Club International	6:33:41
Devon Crosby-Helms	36241	United States	Nedbank Running Club International	6:39:59
Kerry Koen	34175	South Africa	Bonitas Athletic Club CG	6:45:45
Irina Vishneyskaya	59656	Russia	Nedbank Running Club International	6:47:20
Natalia Volgina	48457	Russia	Nedbank Running Club International	6:51:07
Melanie Van Rooyen	21553	South Africa	Richards Bay AC	6:52:36
Julanie Basson	52266	South Africa	Toyota AC CG	7:00:46

 
First South African Man

Name	RaceNo	Country	ClubName	Time
Ludwick Mamabolo	45047	South Africa	Mr Price Sport – KZN	5:31:03

 
First South African Women

Name	RaceNo	Country	ClubName	Time
Kerry Koen	34175	South Africa	Bonitas Athletic Club CG	6:45:45

 
First KwaZulu-Natal Man

Name	RaceNo	Country	ClubName	Time
Bongmusa Mthembu	31020	South Africa	Mr Price Sport – KZN	5:32:42

 
First KwaZulu-Natal Woman

Name	RaceNo	Country	ClubName	Time
Kerry Koen	34175	South Africa	Bonitas Athletic Club CG	6:45:45

For more results click here.

 

COMRADES MARATHON