Jonas Makhele and Kabede Abere Dinke (both Nedbank Running Club) gave brilliant displays of what it means to fight it out up to the line when they raced in the marathon, in Mthatha, at the weekend.

It was certainly one of the season's most exciting marathons. In the end Makhele prevailed, beating Ethiopia's Dinke by a mere second. Makhele's winning time was 2:24:47, with Dinke second in 2:24:48. Tsepang Ramonene was third in 2:25:58 and Ntsindise Mphakathi (Nedbank Running Club) fourth in 2:26:28.

The Nedbank Running Club athletes also made their presence felt in the 10 km race, which was won by Xolisa Tyali in 32:36.

The women's race was won by Lindokahle Tshambala in 33:09, with Louisa Leballo second in 38:00.

• In what has definitely become the norm it was again two Nedbank Running Club athletes duelling it out in a humdinger during the Run for Wollies 22 km race in Pretoria.

This time, two female athletes refused to accept defeat. With both having never-say-die attitudes, they ran shoulder to shoulder up to the last few metres. Catherine Malungani ensured victory with a final acceleration. Her winning time was 1:40:19. Nandipha Dywili was second in 1:40:20.

• Jeromy Andreas won the Beachcomber 15 km race in 47:36 at the weekend, which was another good result for Nedbank Running Club athletes. Mthandazo Qhina was second in 47:45.

 

• Davera Magson (Nedbank Running Club) was second in the Aspen Port Elizabeth City Marathon. She ran a time of 3:10:05. Melanie van Rooyen (Richards Bay) won in 2:56:19.