Arthur Jantjies wins inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town
Hopetown runner Arthur Jantjies won the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town in a personal-best 2:15:14, while Ethiopia’s Bize Beyira Negasa dominated the women’s race.
South African runner Arthur Jantjies emerged victorious in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon on Sunday, finishing with a personal-best time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 14 seconds. Jantjies, representing the Pan African Resources Club, claimed his third win in Cape Town this year, adding the marathon title to his Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and 10km Peace Run victories from April and May.
Ethiopian runner Bezey Beyira Negasa secured the women's race, finishing more than seven minutes ahead of South African Malineo Mahloko. The marathon featured 4,500 entrants and 22,000 athletes across the 21km, 10km and 5km events. The 42km route passed through Cape Town's iconic landmarks, including District Six, the Company's Garden, Bo-Kaap, Sea Point Promenade, and the Table Bay shoreline to Woodbridge Island in Milnerton.
The race began with a headwind, but it turned in favor of the leading contenders near Woodbridge Island, 33km into the race. Jantjies moved ahead of Tsépo Ramashamole and Moses Tarakinyu in the final 2km, earning his personal-best marathon time. Negasa maintained a steady pace of around 3 minutes and 40 seconds per kilometer, leading by nearly eight minutes by halfway. Mahloko and Chidzivo dropped away over the final 11km, unable to catch Negasa's pace.
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