MBABANE – The maiden MTN MoMo Mbabane Marathon saw international runners claim the top prizes, following a dramatic finish in the men’s category during the race held yesterday.
The race started near The Coronation Park and finished at Prince of Wales Sports Ground in Mbabane.
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) long-distance runner, Mthokozo Nkonyane, came agonisingly close to being crowned the maiden champion in the men’s 42km race. The 42-year-old, however, lost by a mere 0.6 seconds to South Africa’s Bonginkosi Mavuso of the Black Diamond Athletics Club.
The Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima had officially discharged the runners with the gun start at 5:30am for the event, which attracted approximately 2 500 athletes.
The E20 000 first prize was hard-fought. Nkonyane fought his way up from third place along the challenging route, gaining ground on the frontrunners after Sipho Mamba dropped back just after the 35km mark.
Mavuso and Nkonyane were locked in a tough duel, running shoulder-to-shoulder before the 29-year-old winner shook him off well just past the Cabinet Offices. Mavuso said his initial strategy was to lead the pack for the first 30km.
“It didn’t happen after the 30km, where I had to fight this guy (Nkonyane) who never gave up and has some very strong endurance. It was not until 36km that I was able to shake him off,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nkonyane, who claimed the E10 000 second prize, credited his preparations for his unexpected performance. He stated his fitness levels were high as the hills made it the most tough race he has faced.
The ladies’ category was won by Kenya’s Rosina Kiboino, who is the reigning Imbube Marathon queen.
Kiboino outran her runner-up, Nomvuyo Sithole from SA, opening up a 40-minute lead after the two ran together for about 25km. She expressed excitement at the win, but revealed she did not expect the race to be so tough due to the course’s hilly nature.
Nelisiwe Magongo was the first liSwati and came third to pocket E6 000. She was followed by SA runner Musawenkhosi Nsibande, while Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) athlete Samukelisiwe ‘Samu’ Tfwala rounded out the top finishers.
In the half-marathon, Correctional Services runners dominated. Thobile Ngwenyama successfully defended her title in the women’s category, while Ncamiso Hlatshwako, sponsored by Montigny won the men’s category.
REPS’ Mancoba Sangweni won the 10km men’s event and TZD Sports Club’s Minehle Mnguni excelled in the ladies’ category.
The Mbabane Marathon was founded in 2018 as a fun run and graduated to a full marathon this year. MTN Fintech injected E260 000 for this year’s edition.
The event was also attended by ministers, including Minister Nzima, Appolo Maphalala from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Simelane. Mbabane East Member of Parliament, Welcome Dlamini, and Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM) Mayor, Thulani Mkhonto, were also in attendance along with MTN Eswatini Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jerry Soko.
(More reports in tomorrow’s publication)
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