Stellar Lineup for NMB Half Marathon

A stellar lineup of top athletes will guarantee an exciting finish on Saturday at the 10th edition of the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon, which also has ASA Championship status, at Pollock Beach on June 1.

The event, organised by Eastern Province Athletics in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, saw a thrilling finish last year when Gqeberha’s Thabang Mosiako, 29, stormed home in his personal best time of 01.00.29, a course record and an EP record time. Thabang Mosiako, who recently won the Two Oceans Half Marathon in April, will be determined to defend his NMB Half Marathon title, but competition will be fierce for the top prize of R100 000.

"Coach always teaches and tell us that we need to stay consistent such that even if it’s hard in the office you stay close to the time that you ran previously. It’s part of the culture of our group. I’m happy with the 60 minutes that I ran in SA last year. I can’t complain too much," said Mosiako, in a recent interview with The Top Runner. Mosiako trains under 2023 ASA Coach of the Year, and event race director, Mike Mbambani.

Mosiako’s training partner, Melikaya Frans and Lesotha’s Namakoe Nkhasi will also be competing on Saturday. In 2022, Namakoe Nkhasi narrowly beat home time favourite. Melikhaya Frans, to the finish in his personal best time of 1.01.01. Frans smashed his lifetime best by more than a minute and won his first national title in 1.01.03. In April this year, Frans, 34, finished third in a time of 1.04.20 in the San Blas Half Marathon in Puerto Rico.

Other hot competitors will be Precious Mashele, former champion in 2021, SA 10km record holder of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), who finished third overall last year, and secured a silver medal in the national championship in 1:00:43, as well as fellow former multiple champion (2017, 2018, 2019) Stephen Mokoka, who finished in fourth place overall last year and third for Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) in 01:00:54.

Running legend, Elroy Gallant, (ACNW) who won the inaugural NMB Half Marathon in 2014, and had an incredible race at the Absa Run Your City 10km in May in Cape Town, will also be on the start line.

Race director, Mike Mbambani confirmed that his local organising team is ready to deliver the 10 th edition of this successful race, with over 1500 runners expected to line up this weekend.

"This is the richest half marathon in the country in terms of prize money, the total prize pot is
R559,000, with the added bonus of ASA Championship prize money. We are expecting the crème de la crème of elite athletes not only from SA, but the rest of Africa as well. Our local athletes, Thabang Mosiako and Melikhaya Frans, are also in top shape to contest for the win,” added Mbambani.

Last year’s national half-marathon winner, Glenrose Xaba, who finished second in her personal best of 1:08:37, will be the woman to watch on Saturday. Photo: Richard Pearce Photography

On the women’s front, last year’s national half-marathon winner, in-form athlete, Glenrose Xaba, (AGN) will be the woman to watch.

Xaba ran a phenomenal race last year, pushing the pace throughout the race to win her fourth straight national half-marathon crown in a personal best of 1:08:37, second overall to Kenyan athlete Betty Chepkemoi, who won the open race in 1:08:34.

"This is likely to be my main 21km race of the season. My goal this season is to qualify for the Olympic Games in the 5000m and/or the 10000m, so this season I’ll just be visiting the half marathons and running more 10km and track races, " confirmed Xaba who was the first woman home in the Two Oceans Half Marathon in April.

Tadu Nare, former women’s champion in 2019, will be joining Xaba at the start line, as well as treble-Olympian Irvette van Zyl, who recently finished second in the Two Oceans Marathon.

Athletics South Africa (ASA) President, James Moloi, is also looking forward to this two-in-one race which will be televised live on Supersport.

“A number of athletes and coaches will be seeking glory of the ASA Half-Marathon Championships and the 10th Nelson Mandela Bay Half-Marathon, which has earned its stripes over its journey.

“We can therefore expect another breath-taking encounter, especially for spectators,” said Moloi.

The race is justifiably credited as the fastest half marathon in the country. The route is flat and fast and runs on the coastal road. Runners will start from 07h00 and complete a circular route.

The collection of race numbers, as well as late entries, will be available at registration at the Oyster Catcher venue, First Floor, Southern Sun The Marine Hotel, Summerstrand, on Friday, 31 May, from 10h00 to 20h00. No late entries will be allowed on the morning of the event, and collection of race numbers will only be allowed at the Hotel from 05h00 and 06h30.