Mapaseka Makhanya
Event: Women’s Long Distances Date of birth: 1985/04/09 Personal bests: 800m (2:03.36),...
Zimbabwean athlete Collin Parura ran the race of his life on Saturday to win the Old Mutual Om die Dam ultra-marathon in Hartbeespoort, while local ultra-distance star Caroline Wostmann successfully defended her title in the women’s race.
Parura covered the 50km distance in 2:53:54, well clear of former Comrades Marathon winner Ludwick Mamabolo who finished second in 2:56:51.
Wostmann, who will target a third straight victory at the 56km Two Oceans race in April before defending her Comrades ‘up’ run title in KwaZulu-Natal in June, won the women’s race on the scenic Om die Dam course in 3:29:47.
Charne Bosman, who lifted the Comrades ‘down’ run crown last season, took second place in 3:34:42.
Obed Kopong won the men’s half-marathon in 1:10:50 and Andronica Mokgotla took the women’s race in 1:26:40.
Marathon specialist Desmond Mokgobu stepped down in distance to secure victory in the men’s 10km contest in 30:49, with Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora winning the women’s division in 36:37.
* Full results available in our Results section