Augustine Maiyo wins Cape Town Marathon

Augustine Amos Maiyo (Mr Price) clocked an Olympic Qualifying time of 2:14:55 to beat a top field, including South African marathon record holder Gert Thys, and claim the R25 000 first prize at the Aca Joe Cape Town Marathon 2011 on Sunday 25 September.

Maiyo saw off the challenge of defending champion Thys and fellow Kenyan John Birgen who have previously broken the 2:10 time which defines world class runners.

South African Raphael Segodi (Bidvest) placed second with a time of 2:16:47 followed in third by Anthony Godongwana (Celtic Harriers) also of South Africa in 2:17:01.

The first woman home in the marathon was Chiyedza Chokore (Mr Price) of Zimbabwe in a time of 02:46:31. Second was Margaret Mohohoma (Mr Price) of Zimbabwe in 02:47:01 and third South African Bulelwa Mtshagi (Celtic Harriers) in 02:48:44.

The 10km men’s race, which featured SA Marathon Champion Lusapo April, was won by Stephen Mokoka (Transnet AGN) in a time of 00:28:45, Tshamano Setone (University Johannesburg)was second in 00:28:45 and Gladwin Mzazi (Gladwin Mzazi) third in 00:28:57.

The women’s 10km field included Rene Kalmer who recently represented SA in the marathon at the World Championships in Daegu, Korea, former SA half marathon champion Zintle Xiniwe, SA Cross Country Champion Lebo Phalula and SA 10km champion Irvette van Blerk. This highly competitive race was won by Irvette van Blerk in a time of 00:33:20, with Rene Kalmer in second in 00:34:03 and Zintle Xiniwe in third in 00:34:54.

The marathon started in Adderley Street at 06.30 with the finish at the new Green Point Urban Park next to the Cape Town Stadium.

James Evans, the race director, said the event was a huge success and praised the performances of the athletes.

“I am delighted that the marathon and 10km races attracted thousands of runners including international competitors from as far as Japan and Brazil. I also want to congratulate the winners for their outstanding achievements,” Evans said.

Thousands of Capetonians turned out along the route and at the finish to support the over 5000 runners who entered the Aca Joe Cape Town Marathon races over the Heritage Day weekend.