Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon – SA MARATHON RECORD HOLDER BREAKS WORLD AGE GROUP RECORD

The South African Marathon record holder Gert Thys smashed the world best performance for 50km for the 40+ age group at the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon on Saturday, 7 April 2012.  Crossing the 50km mark in 2:48:40 on the way to the 56km finish, Thys took near 5 min off the current record of 2:53:21.

Thys, 41, finished fourth behind Stephen Muzhingi (ZIM), Henry Moyo (KEN) and Collen Makaza (ZIM). The women’s race was won by Elena Nurgalieva (RUS), with countrywoman Natalia Volgina second and American Devon Crosby-Helms in third place.

First South African woman was Adinda Kruger.

Athletics South Africa does note with concern the fact that the finish gantry collapsed. Fortunately there are no reported injuries. The organisers will be called upon to explain how this was able to happen, especially after bad weather had been forecast.

Source: Athletics South Africa

7 APRIL 2012: TWO OCEANS MARATHON 56km, SOUTH AFRICA

MEN:
1  Stephen MUZHINGI               ZIM  3:08:08
2  Henry MOYO                     MAW  3:08:35
3  Collen MAKAZA                  ZIM  3:08:45
4  Gert THYS                                  RSA  3:09:42
5  Bongumusa MTHEMBU        RSA  3:10:16
6  Mthandazo QHINA              RSA  3:11:00
7  Tsotang MAINE                  LES  3:11:51
8  Lucas NONYANA                 RSA  3:12:03
9  Odwa TUNYISWA                RSA  3:12:50
10 Kimutai LEZAN                  KEN  3:12:58

WOMEN:
1  Elena NURGALIYEVA             RUS  3:41:55
2  Natalia VOLGINA                RUS  3:45:29
3  Devon CROSBY-HELMS       USA  3:47:30
4  Mamorallo TJOKA               LES  3:48:50
5  Samukeliso MOYO              ZIM  3:49:10
6  Adinda KRUGER                  RSA  3:50:13
7  Lizih CHOKORE                  ZIM  3:52:26
8  Ntombesinthu MFUNZI        RSA  3:52:39
9  Mundalambo TSHIFHIWA    RSA  3:53:00
10 Paulina NJEYA                   RSA  3:53:29

HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1  Xolisa TYALI                           RSA  1:04:54
2  Joel MMONE                     RSA  1:05:01
3  Lucky MOHALE                  RSA  1:05:09

WOMEN:
1  Rene KALMER                         RSA  1:15:02
2  Irvette VAN BLERK             RSA  1:16:22
3  Rutendo NYAHORA            ZIM  1:18:30