CLEMENT Nkosi was the clear victor in the Emondlo Half-Marathon hosted by the Umqulusi club on Saturday. The Mr Price athlete opened almost a kilometre over the competition in the challenging course to take the tape in 76 min 16 sec with Basil Mazibuko from the Johannesburg New Balance Wanderers club second in 79 min 51 sec.

Justice Nkosi was not only the first local athlete, but also the leader in the 35-39 age category.

Qobile Khoza from Newcastle Harriers was totally unchallenged in the women’s race, where as sole competitor she took the tape in a leisurely 2:10.

Bonginkosi Zwane and Phindile Siwela were the best man and woman in the associated 10 km distance in 35 min 40 sec and 58 min 20 sec respectively.

Pietermaritzburg’s women won the annual team time trial against their counterparts from Durban’s highway clubs last Thursday night.

Suzette Botha of the Eskom club led the field home, taking 16:35 over the four kilometres, with Pinetown’s Liza Muchna almost two minutes adrift.

Kirsten Williams of the University club finished just off Muchna’s shoulder for third place.

The city’s team of 10 women accumulated a total time of 3hr 13min 27sec, over 25 minutes faster than the best from the highway.

Eskom, who hosted the event, were the top individual club followed by Collegians Harriers with Pinetown and District taking third.

Chiltern’s Frankie Cawdry, who was knocked down while out working on the Comrades route in May last year, had her first run back in the time trial, taking 29:56 for the distance.

Emondlo Half-Marathon

Men: 1. Clement Nkosi Mr Price A C 1:16:16; 2. Basil Mazibuko New Balance Wanderers 1:19:51l; 3. Justice Nkosi Umqulusi A C 1:22:02

35 to 39: Justice Nkosi Umqulusi A C 1:22:02

40 to 49: Salelo Ndlovu Vryheid A C 1:48:48

50 to 59: Isaac Sibisi Gods Golden Acre 1:54:58

Junior: Malusi Thabethe Umqulusi A C 1:38:21

Women: Qobile Khoza Newcastle Harriers 2:00:10

10km

Men: Bonginkosi Zwane Ind/Temp 35:40

Women: Phindile Siwela Ind/Temp 58:20

Annual Pietermaritzburg women v Highway clubs women Time Trial challenge:

1. Suzette Botha Eskom 16:35; 2. Lise Muchna PDAC 18:17; 3. Kristen Williams UKZN 18:22; 4. Kirsty Scott CH 18:52; 5. Nonsikelelo Mbambo Ntl Carb 19:03; 6. Sibongile Zigubu Escom 19:22; 7. A. Beggs HH 19:52; 8. Fiona PDAC 20:01; 9. Meggan MacKenzie CH 20:08; 10. Precious HV 20:13

Teams: 1. PMB Women 3:13:27; 2 Highway Women 3:38:46

Clubs: 1. Eskom 56:24; 2. Collegians Harriers 59:17; 3. PDAC 59:48