Nkonde boss in Richards Bay

Siyabonga Nkonde and Tanith Maxwell were crowed KZN half marathon champions with their impressive wins in the Mondi 21km on Sunday in Richards Bay.

Nkonde led from the gun opening a massive lead over Boxer club teammate, Sithembele Fanekho, in the first 5km. Nkonde was totally unchallenged over the undulating two-lap course where he recorded an impressive one hour five minute and 58 second finish. Fanekho was over 500 metres adrift with Bluff Formula One club's Bernard Phalatsane third overall and first in the 35–39 age category almost seven minutes off the pace.

Durban Olympian, Tanith Maxwell, won the ladies race in one hour 19 minutes 58 seconds with Nedbank's Cary-Ann Smith and Comrades gold medallist, Melanie van Rooyen, fighting out the lower podium places. Smith held on for second, crossing the line in exactly 81 minutes. Van Rooyen was 21 seconds adrift in third.  Maxwell and Van Rooyen were first and second in their 35-39 age category.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Norrie Williamson

Twitter - @ECRSportswave @SportswaveAndre