Soweto Marathon debutant Debeko Dakamo Dasa announced his arrival in style as he clocked two hours, 18 minutes and 35 seconds to win the tough 42.2km people’s race yesterday.
His victory ensured that Ethiopia’s dominance of the Soweto Marathon continued unabated as he followed in the footsteps of three-time champion Sintayeho Legese, who did not run this year.
“I am happy with my first win in the marathon. I would like to come back next year to defend my title. I had no idea about the race. It was very hot and it had too many hills,” Dasa said.
Dasa’s win ensured that South Africa continues to search for that elusive success in the race last won by a local back in 2011.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s continued their dominance in the men’s race, local marathon star Irvette van Zyl continued her dominance in the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon when she won the third consecutive edition of the "People's Race".
The 32-year-old mother of two ran the 42.2km race in 2:34:01, just 58 seconds slower than her record-breaking win of 2:33:43 last year.
“I prepared well this year and hoped to have a strong race. Only after I passed the 4km mark that I thought I could perhaps run a record time. But I am happy that I managed to win because I put in a lot of work,” Van Zyl said.
Both winners of 42.2km race pocketed R250 000 each.
Member of the mayoral committee (MMC) and acting Mayor Councillor Funzela Ngobeni fired the starter’s gun to start the 10km race, which his fellow MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Dr Ntombi Khumalo ran.
Speaking at the prizegiving ceremony, MMC Ngobeni said the City’s commitment to support the biggest local race (Soweto Marathon) will continue.
“As the City we are very happy to be associated with the Soweto Marathon, we have seen it growing from strength to strength, I am told that this year’s edition has broken the record, for the first time we have over 40 000 runners today.
“We can only improve from this, the more we attract more people for the Soweto Marathon the better, remember the route boasts with the rich history of the City and Soweto as it takes runners closer to the significant heritage sites like Vilakazi Street, that is becoming the Centre of tourism in Soweto,” said MMC Ngobeni.
He said it is a positive thing that the marathon attracts runners from around the country and from other African states, including Lesotho, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. This year’s edition saw Thakgatso Madigoe, Skumbuzo Mbizane and Simphiwe Ntshangase who ran 42km of Soweto Marathon in bunker gear to create awareness on attacks that have been happening to EMS officials when they go out to attend to emergency calls.
The team was joined by Nomathemba Mbucani and Masingitha Mkhabela who ran 21km and 10km respectively.
Attacks on officials have led the City of Joburg EMS to do a campaign at several churches around the City to highlight the plight of Emergency Management Services struggle with these attacks. They humbly asking the community to protect the hands that serve them.
City officials were on high alert during the historic People’s Race, the City of Joburg’s Emergency Management Service personnel, and the Joburg Metro Police Department guarded the 42.2km, 21km and 10km routes to ensure that everything runs smooth.
