Ngomane wins Comrades
2005-06-16 10:57
Durban - Sipho Ngomane of South Africa surged to victory in the 80th Comrades Marathon on Thursday.
The 23-year-old entered Kingsmead stadium well clear of closest rivals and was clearly a very happy man as he extended his arms high above his head some 20 metres from the finish in a most elated demonstration of pride and delight.
He completed the 89km race in five hours, 27 minutes and 15 seconds. He was followed home by Russian Oleg Kharitonov, who was timed at 5:29,17 and defending down-run champion Andrew Kelehe, who could not make any impression on the leader.
Ngomane held his nerve all the way from Westville and through the notoriously tough finishing stretch that has taken its toll so often before on the pacemakers.
Fourth place went to Vladimir Kotov, a former Russian who is now a naturalised South African.
- SAPA