SEASONED Zimbabwean long-distance runner Mike Fokoroni took a credible second place in the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday morning.
The Bindura-based runner clocked a good time of two hours 24 minutes 12 seconds as he crossed the line after Sintayehu Legese Yinesu of Ethiopia, who clocked 2:23:20. Kenya’s John Kirui came third in 2:24:42.
Over 19,000 runners took to the streets of Soweto in yesterday’s run and the race started and finished at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg, connecting runners from all over the world to six significant heritage sites dotted along the 42.2km marathon route, including Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Walter Sisulu Square, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Morris Isaacson High School, Vilakazi Street and Hector Pieterson Memorial.
“I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity by Old Mutual, Soweto Marathon and the support from Nedbank Sport Athlete Development Initiative through their development of Ethiopian as well as South African runners,” said the marathon winner Yinesu through a translator. “Without their support it wouldn’t have been possible for me to defend my title and take the first prize for a second year running.”
In the women’s race, Kenyan Harriet Jepchumba Chebore led the 42.2KM in a time of in 2:50:15. Second place went to Amelework Fikadu Bosho in a time of 02:50:15 and in third place, Selam Abere Alebachew from Ethiopia completed the marathon in 02:52:03.
Yinesu and Chebore, the two marathon winners, each took home R200,000 in prize money. Akopo Africa, showed fine form winning the women’s 21km race in 01:19:34, while Elroy Gelant took the honours in the men’s race in 01:06:33. — Sports Reporter/Sport24