South African Man Wins Two Oceans Marathon

He came from behind with just 1K to go.

George Ntshiliza of South Africa won the 56K Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on Saturday. With just 1K left to go in the race,  it looked like Motlhokoa Nkhabutlane of Lesotho would be the winner. But Ntshiliza threw down a surge and passed the novice ultra marathoner.

Ntshiliza’s finishing time was 3:08:31. It was the first time since 2003 that a South African won the race. In the early stages of the race, Kenyans took charge. But as the kilometers ticked by, the East Africans fell back one by one. Nkhabutlane ended up placing second  in 3:08.49. Fellow countryman Tsotang Maine finished third in 3:09.19.

In the women’s race, it was entirely a Russian affair. Twin sisters Olesya and Elena Nurgalieva went 1-2.

South Africa put on a good showing in the race, capturing four of the top 10 spots in the men’s race.

A half marathon was held in conjunction with the ultra. Lusapho April, last year’s champion, won the men’s race in 1:03.58.  Helalia Johannes of Namibia prevailed over South Africa’s Irvette van Blerk to win the women’s race in 1:11.56.

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