Sports

EZULWINI – South Africa’s (SA) long-distance runner, Msawenkhosi Nsibande, has been crowned the 2025 Spar Women’s Challenge champion.

Nsibande from Nedbank Athletics Club clocked 44 minutes and 44 seconds to win the 10km race yesterday. The second edition of the challenge began and finished at the Ezulwini Handcraft Market also featuring a 4.9km fun race. However, the champion maintained her lead from the start, though runner-up Thobile Ngwenyama significantly closed the gap towards the finish line.

The four-time Imbube Marathon runner, who has previously achieved positions six, four, three and two, described it as a fine race, although she said lack of water points almost cost her. She added that she used the event to prepare for Eswatini’s upcoming flagship running event, the Imbube Marathon, as most of the winners too had the same intention. They said this particular race was outside their usual specialism.

Full article available in our publication.

Athletics Eswatini President, Zakhele Dlamini (4th L) handed over the prizes of the Spar Women Challenge’s 10km winners (L-R) SA Nedbank’s Msawenkhosi Nsibande, Correctional’s Thobile Ngwenyama, REPS’ Nongcebo Mathabela, Swazi Slojos’ Happiness Mdluli as well as REPS’ Samukelisiwe Tfwala. (Pics: Nimrod Hlophe)

Over 200 runners participated in the 10km, which had prizes for the top five females.