The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was the setting for a morning of record-breaking performances as athletes from the Nedbank Running Club achieved new men’s and women’s 50km world records.
The women’s race began at 05:30, and it became clear early on that runners were taking advantage of perfect weather conditions. Helalia Johannes acted as pacemaker, forming a group of six women, which included last year’s champion Amelework Fikadu Bosho and Swede Hanna Lindholm.
By the 25km mark, only four women were left in the group, with Tinebeb Ali and Emane Seifu Hayile shadowing at the back. With 13km to go, Hayile surged ahead, eventually crossing the finish line victorious in a new world record, Ethiopian national record, and continental record time of 3:00:30.
The men’s race was led by pacemaker Melikhaya Frans, who kept the athletes well under world record tempo. By the final lap, just three runners were left: Tete Morena Dijana, his NRC teammate Onalenna Khonkobe, and Zimbabwean Tonny Skink.
Dijana set the pace, with Skink dropping back early on. Khonkobe held on until the final turn with 3km to go before Dijana surged ahead. Dijana smashed Stephen Mokoka’s 50km world record, crossing the line in 2:39:03, with Khonkobe 37 seconds back in second place and Skink third in a new Zimbabwean national record of 2:40:03.
Race director Nick Bester was elated with another record-breaking morning. The athletes rewarded the organizers with not only two new world records but also national and continental records.
Nedbank’s Khensani Nobanda said, “Breaking Barriers has truly set a high benchmark because today we witnessed exceptional performances from some of the best athletes. Congratulations to all the runners that were once again part of history.”
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