Two Oceans Marathon wrap

It was Ethiopian Ketema Tadese  who led through the marathon in 2:19:45, with 15 seconds gap over the chase group of Hendrick Ramaala, 2010 winner Mabhutile Lebopo and Nkoka.

Cresting Constantia the Nkoka made his break and had opened a 21 seconds over Ramaala by the 50km, which he went through in 2:49:02.

From there he looked every part the winner as he strode to the line at UCT grounds, which he crossed in 3:09:52, to take the crown back to Lesotho for the first time since 2010.

“I had done a lot of speed work in the build up; I knew I needed more speed,” said Nkoka who completed his fifth Oceans, with a previous best of ninth in 3:13:18 in the 2013 edition.  “This is a great day for me. It’s going to change things. I am still keen to improve my marathon time,” continued Nkoka whose 2:15:31 was set in 2008 in the Cape Town marathon.

The Lesotho runner collapsed across the line, but was immediately attended to by world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, who had been brought to observe the race by the race technical sponsor, Adidas. Kipsang was clearly impressed by his experience of the ultra distance racing and stayed on hand to welcome the leading men and women home. 

Ramaala, running his debut ultra marathon, was the runner up, and only one minute 41 seconds adrift, but had the consolation of being first in the 40 plus age group.

“I was initially training for a spring international marathon, but that never materialized and with the (Old Mutual R1Million) bonus I decided I would do the ‘south african thing’ and try this (Two Oceans),” said the veteran South African marathoner and 2009 New York winner. “I slept with my window open and was amazed at the wind that came in last night.  My initial plans of going for the record were blown away.”

“It was confusing over the initial kilometres; people were surging and there was no consistency of pace. I was told there were three hills, but I found so many more,” said Ramaala.  “ At the marathon I was dead, but it's a mental thing: then I was hungry.  This ultra thing is different, and harder than I expected”

Lesotho gained two more gold’s in the top ten with Masilo Matjiane in third in 3:12:00 and Warinyane Lebopo hanging on for fourth. The early leader Tedese became the first Ethiopian ever to finish in the top ten in Oceans, but given the ten top athletes in this year race took a total of three golds, it looks to be the first of many. 

The ladies race unfolded in a similar fashion with Shitaye Debellu taking the lead out of Hout Bay.  As with her Ethiopian counterpart, Tadese, Debellu looked strong to the marathon mark but then faded on the steep climb to Constantia Nek where she was caught by Podnebesnova, who went on to break the tape in 3:40:07, improving on her fifth positions in both 2011 and 2013.

“I changed my coach over the past year, and he focused more on Cross Country, track and improving my speed,” said the 34 year old Russian, who also benefited from the move to the warmer Turkish climate where her coach is based.

 Debellu, who finished in 3:43:37, was the first of three Ethiopian women to earn Gold medals on their debut.

“The plan was to run for the record, but we know that has a risk if you overdo it,” said the 34 year old who with a 2:26 marathon and a 32 minute 10km was potentially the fastest woman in the field. “I will first go back to the marathon distance late this year, then commence training to return (to oceans) next year.”   

After a decade of dominating the Cape classic, the Nurgalieva twins were below par, having caught flu immediately before flying.

“ Olesya was really bad in the last few days,” said Elena who was able to come through to finish third in 3:43:59. “Before the race I did not expect to be in the top five.   I am happy that I was able to get third today, but after a rest and I hope to get back to form for Comrades,” Olesya finished sixth in 3:51:46.

Pauline Njeya, running in the colours of Toyota finished fifth and first South African, with Ntombesintu Mfunzi the only other to earn gold in eighth.  Zola Pieterse looked to be in cruise mode for most of the race and finished eleventh in 4:07:58.

Earlier in the day Stephen Mokoka ran one hour four minutes 16 seconds to win the half marathon only 80 metres clear of Joel Mmone and Gladwin Mzazi (transnet) who were both credited with a time of 1:04:29.

Lebo Paulino out ran Rene Kalmer in the ladies race taking honours in 1:14:00, 23 seconds clear of Kalmer. Ethiopian Gezashigh Gemeda was third in 1:15:02.

Men:

1 Lebenya Nkoka LES 3:09:52

2 Hendrick Ramaala Nedbank 3:11:33

3 Masilo Mtajiane LES 3:12:00

4 Warinyane Lebopo LES 3:12:24

5 Ketema Tadese ETH 3:12:35

Women:

1 Nina Podebesnova RUS 3:40:07

2 Shitaye Debellu ETH 3:43:37,

3 Elena Nurgalieva RUS 3:43:59,

4 Mamarallo Tjoka LES 3:46:13, Paulina Njeya Toyota 3:50:48.

(File photo:Gallo Images)