Irvette van Zyl was the star of the show when she took the Soweto Marathon women’s title, after having finished third last year. With this she became the first South African winner of the Soweto Marathon since 2009, breaking the tape in 2:41:06 and ending foreign domination in what is referred to as the People’s Race.

An emotional Van Zyl said she didn't think she would win. "I thought Mapa (Mapaseka Makhanya) was too far ahead. But it meant a lot to me. In 2011 I wasn't able to complete the race. I finished in a taxi. Last year I had injury problems. Today was an emotional win. I feel blessed and humbled to be part of the People’s Race again this year. It’s definitely going to hurt tomorrow but it is and was worth it. Thanks to my special team that supports me through the lows and the highs. A high like today can only be appreciated when you’ve hit the lowest lows.” And how did Van Zyl celebrate her victory? With a meal from KFC!

The Green Dream Team’s dominance continued in the women’s marathon with 7 of the top 15 ladies from the NRC.

In the women’s half marathon NRC athlete Patience Murorwe finishing first in a time of 1:21. Glenrose Xaba won the women’s 10km race in 35:33 followed by NRC’s Rutendo Nyahora (35:42).

The men delivered too, with 9 out of the top 20 marathon men being NRC athletes. Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (NRC/ETH) took second place in a time of 2:20:56 while teammate Ntsindiso Mphakathi (NRC) crossed the line third in a time of 2:21:23. David Manja fleg the Nedbank flag high in the half marathon crossing the line first in 1:06:14 to win the men’s title. His teammate Namakoe Nkhasi (NRC/LES) scored another win for the NRC breaking the 10km tape in 30:52.

Superb racing all around!

RESULTS
OLD MUTUAL SOWETO MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10 KM SOWETO, 5 NOVEMBER
Marathon
MEN
Open
2. Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (NRC/ETH) 2:20:56
3. Ntsindiso Mphakathi (NRC) 2:21:23
5. Lebenya Nkoka (NRC/LES) 2:22:21
7. Moses Kurgat (NRC/KEN) 2:23:31
9. Edward Mothibi (NRC) 2:25:28
12. Collin Parura Kanyimo (NRC/ZIM) 2:27:39
15. Obed Kapong (NRC) 2:30:02
17. Siphiwe Nicholas Ndlela (NRC) 2:30:22
20. Mike Fokoroni (NRC/ZIM) 2:32:01

Veterans
2. Mike Fokoroni (NRC/ZIM) 2:32:01 3

WOMEN
Open
1. Irvette van Zyl (NRC) 2:41:06
3. Selam Abere Alebachew (NRC/ETH) 2:46:33
5. Chelitu Bogale Asefa (NRC/ETH) 2:54:44
6. Jennifer Koech (NRC/KEN) 2:59:32
8. Andronica Mokgotla (NRC) 3:08:10
9. Fikile Fundiswe Mbuthuma (NRC) 3:10:48
15. Monica Kativhu (NRC/ZIM) 3:18:45

Masters
2. Diane Schlebusch (NRC) 4:20:04

Half Marathon
MEN
Open
1. David Manja (NRC) 1:06:14
4. Phillimon Tebogo Mathiba (Ned) 1:08:42

Masters
1. Dan Mothibe (NRC) 1:23:53
2. Zebulon Mokonoto (NRC) 1:28:28

WOMEN
Open
1. Patience Murowe (NRC/ZIM) 1:21:56

10 km
MEN
Open
1. Namakoe Nkhasi (NRC/LES) 30:52
3. Thabang Mosiako (NRC) 30:59

WOMEN
Open
2. Rutendo Nyahora (NRC/ZIM) 35:42

SOUTH AFRICAN 10KM CHAMPIONSHIPS, NELSPRUIT, 4 NOVEMBER

MEN
Open
3 Precious Mashele (NRC) 29:17
4 David Manja (NRC) 29:24

WOMEN
40-44:
1. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 38:45

LANDMARKS HALF MARATHON, RONDEBOSCH, 5 NOVEMBER

MEN
Open
2. Siviwe Nkombi (NRC) 1:10:28
4. Mthandazo Qhina (NRC) 1:13:43 (1st vet)

40-44
1. Mthandazo Qhina (NRC) 1:13:43
2. Sihle Mapukata (NRC) 1:20:32
3. Neo Molema (NRC) 1:20:39

55-59
3. Mandlenkosi Mqcunge (NRC) 1:31:38

Juniors
1. Calvin Hammond (NRC) 1:39:20
 
WOMEN
1. Fortunate Chidzivo (NRC/ZIM) 1:26:34

40-44
3. Busisiwe Matiwane (NRC) 1:39:14

50-54
1. Obertina Kanyongo (NRC/ZIM) 1:34:45

55-59
1. Olga Howard (NRC) 1:39:19

PHOENIX VILLAGERS HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, MOUNT EDGECOMBE, 5 NOVEMBER
Half marathon
MEN
Open
1.    Mzimemkosi Mjaja (NRC) 1:20:38

SAVE SUPERMARKET HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, PIETERMARITZBURG, 5 NOVEMBER

Half Marathon
MEN
40-49
1. Msawenkosi Mlaba (NRC) 75:51

WOMEN
Open
3. Nontokozo Mkhize (NRC) 93:05

ITEC 10 KM, TABLE VIEW, 4 NOVEMBER
WOMEN
Veterans
2. Sharon Sunderland (NRC) 43:55
 
NMBM LEGACY PROJECT COLCHESTER 10 KM, COLCHESTER, 4 NOVEMBER

MEN
Open
2. Gift Chigomarawa (NRC/ZIM) 31:35
4. Brendon Effenaar (NRC) 31:57
 
Veterans
2. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 33:07
Masters
2. Christopher Mabengeza (NRC) 36:38

Great Grandmasters
3. David O’Reilly (NRC) 58:34

Juniors
2. Anele Voorman (NRC) 35:06

WOMEN
Open
1. Vuyiseka Nkumenge (NRC) 38:25
3. Liza-Marie Kingston (NRC) 40:25

Veterans
1. Davera Magson (NRC) 43:30
3. Grizelda Pietersen (NRC) 47:23

Masters
1. Buyelwa Kobokana (NRC) 51:50

Great Grandmasters
1. Ronelle Steyn (NRC) 1:04:31

ROWLIN NATIONAL BROKERS 15 KM & 10 KM, BENONI, 1 NOVEMBER
15 km
MEN
Open
2. Thabo Masina (NRC) 50:11
4. Best Ngwenya (NRC) 54:15