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Two Incredible Firsts at Nelson Mandela Bay Marathon in Gqeberha

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Running in Gqeberha was put firmly on the map this morning as two International Athletics Union (IAU) Marathon records were broken in the Men’s and Women’s Divisions.

Conditions this morning were perfect for a record attempt on the fast flat surface which saw athletes do 5 laps of the 10 km course along Marine Drive, turn near Pine lodge and then back to the turn near Kings Beach to the start/finish .line opposite Pollok Beach, Summerstrand.

“At the 30km mark I was feeling good and signalled to Nick [Bester – Coach] if he wanted me to continue or stop, I got the go signal and won,” said South Africa’s Irvette Van Zyl, who started the race as a pace runner and went on to cross the finish line at 3:04:23 to break the record and be the first South African female to break the 50km IAU World record.

Irvette Van Zyl
Irvette Van Zyl crosses the finish line at 3:04:23 to be the first South African female to break the Women’s 50km IAU Marathon World Record.

What was set out as an opportunity to maintain momentum of elite running in 2021, saw eight 50km IAU World Record times being broken. Marine drive in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality proved to be a fast stretch of road as athletes took to the Nedbank Runified: Breaking Barriers 50km IAU World record attempt in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

The men’s title, which has been held by Thompson Mangawana for over 30 years was broken by Ethiopian Ketema Negasa at 2:42:06. South Africa Irvette Van Zyl, who started the race as a pace runner, crossed the finish line at 3:04:23 to break the record and be the first South African female to break the 50km IAU World record.

Ketema Negasa
Ethiopian Ketema Negasa breasts the tape at 2:42:06 to break the IAU Men’s Marathon World Record which was held by Thompson Mangawana for over 30 years.

When asked about Van Zyl’s victory, race director and National Manager of NRC Nick Bester race director knew what she was capable of and isn’t surprised at her achievements today. “The conditions were great and I felt good. At 30 kilometres, I was meant to go off but I felt good. After Nick gave me the signal, I pushed through to the finish line. If you asked me a year ago today, I wouldn’t have said that I would be here today due to my knee surgery but this is such a proud moment for me and I am grateful for this opportunity,” said three-time Soweto Marathon Winner, Irvette Van Zyl, who recently qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games Marathon.

On her debut ultramarathon, Kenyan long-distance runner, Lillian Chemweno, who was breathing down Irvette’s neck, held second place and crossed the finish line at 03:05:00 breaking the second world record time of the day. Closing off the podium was Stelmach giving the Nedbank running club a 1-2-3 finish.

“After months of planning and all the hard-work, we came here today to break record, and that’s exactly what we did.” says race Director and NRC National Manager, Nick Bester. “We have ticked every box to make sure that all procedures and rules have been adhered to in order for our race to be official and IAU World records to stand.”

The success of today’s event has set a high benchmark of what the Nedbank Runified series stands for and what is to come. While World Best Performances are accepted at face value, the IAU World Records are submitted to the rigorous ratification process that includes certified course measurement, official timing, doping control and additional checks and standards. While times are still provisional, the success of today broke more than a world record time – it broke eight.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.