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South Africa's Bongmusa Mthembu has defended his Comrades Marathon title,
winning the 93rd edition of the race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in
commanding fashion on Sunday, 10 June 2018. It was Mthembu's third
victory in the ˇ§Ultimate Human Raceˇ¨ having previously won the ˇ§Downˇ¨' run
in 2014, in addition to last year's ˇ§Upˇ¨ run.
Local hero Mthembu, 34, who hails from Bulwer in KwaZulu-Natal's Midlands,
finished in an unofficial time of 5:26:39.
Fellow South African Joseph Mphuthi finished second in a distant 5:35:14,
while Great Britain's Steven Way stormed through the field to take the final
podium spot in 5:35:31.
Running for the Arthur Ford Running Club, Mthembu crossed the finish line at
the Moses Mabhida Stadium with his arms raised as 90.184km of agony quickly
turned to joy.
Little-known South African runner Ann Ashworth stunned the women's field.
Ashworth upset the pre-race favourites in crossing the line first in a time
of 6:10:04 to take not only her first title, but her first Top 10 finish in
the ˇ§Ultimate Human Raceˇ¨.
Ashworth, founder of the Massmart Running Club in Gauteng, raised her arms
in triumph after 90.184km of pain and glory.
Fellow South African Gerda Steyn finished second in 6:15:34, while Russia's
Alexandra Morozova took the final podium spot in 6:20:21.
ˇV Source:
www.sport24.co.za |
