Northern Cape’s inaugural Big Hole Marathon: Thousands enter to win thousands

KIMBERLEY – More than 2 400 athletes from all over South Africa and several other African countries gathered on Saturday 22 November in an extremely hot Kimberley for the inaugural Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon.

Pocketing the prize money of R200 000 in the 42,2km men’s category was Matlakala Bennet Seloyi, a South African athlete of the Boxer Superstores Athletic Club (AC) who crossed the finish line in 2:13:22. The first woman to cross the finish line in the marathon was Fridah Ndinda of Kenya (2:39:45) who also took home R200 000.

Northern Cape star athlete Arthur Jantjies of the Kgosi Galeshewe AC finished eighth (2:21:06), while current Comrades champion, Tetje Dijana of the Nedbank Running Club and race ambassador of the Big Hole Marathon, came in at 14th place (2:24:59).

For this event, in which substantial prize money was handed out to all male and female podium finishers, athletes could also enter for the half-marathon, or the 10km or 5km event. The race commenced at the Sol Plaatje University with several iconic sites in the city included in the route. At the launch of the event it was mentioned that several safety precautions, as well as measures to track and uncover possible cheating, would be in place.

It was also a Comrades qualifier race.

ALSO READ: Kimberley Big Hole Marathon launched: Great prizes in several categories

The Northern Cape Provincial Government stated over the weekend that the event was a huge success, “with a full field and not a single incident to report.

“We are thrilled to have exceeded our expectations as the race was fully subscribed and millions of rands in tourism were invested in the city.”

Podium finishers

42,2km, men:

Seloyi; Stephen Mokoka (RSA; 2:15:31); and Daniel Paulus (Namibia; 2:16:50).

42,2km, women:

Ndinda; Neheng Melida Khatala (Lesotho; 2:40:12); and Siftolina Daba Chemeda (Ethiopia; 2:40:43).

21,1km, men:

Simon Sibeko (RSA; 1:06:42); Lebenya Nkoka (Lesotho; 1:06:46) and Simon Matias (Namibia; 1:06:49).

21,1km, women:

Karabo Mailula (RSA; 1:14:08); Lavinia Haitope (Namibia; 1:14:12); and Florence Nyanjiri (Kenia; 1:16:37).

10km, men:

Keanu Domingo (RSA; 29:50); Malefane Ramosabetsi (Lesotho; 29:53); and Elex Moyo (RSA; 30:18).

10km, women:

Shiivomwene Shilongo (Namibia, 34:38); Nobukhosi Tshuma (Zimbabwe; 36:54); and Mema Tiango (Botswana; 41:01).

5km, men:

Oscar Hopton (RSA; 16:30); Justice Buchwana (RSA; 16:32); and Boikhutso Omaatla Matokonyane (RSA; 16:33).

5km, women:

Moleboheng Mohapi (RSA; 19:41); Catherine Skosana (RSA; 19:59); and Refiloe Karreebos (RSA; 20:11).