Reghen Magwai (2:11:20) displayed grit and tenacity to claim the men’s title, with Samuel Moloi and Simon Sibeko completing the podium. Magwai, representing Athletics Gauteng North, also walked away with the coveted ASA National Marathon Championship crown in a new personal best.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Alemitu Lema (2:26:44) showed exceptional class, shattering the women’s course record by more than three minutes.
Former champion Annie Bothma, running in the colours of KZN Athletics, finished second to capture the national title for the second time in her career, clocking a new personal best of 2:27:45.
The men’s contest unfolded as a gripping cat-and-mouse affair. Magwai seized control at the 25km mark, but Moloi refused to let him out of sight, with Sibeko in hot pursuit.
Moloi made his decisive move at 32km as the pack headed towards the finish on the M4, the Indian Ocean glistening to their left. His lead was short-lived, however, as Magwai fought back to reclaim the advantage with seven kilometres to go. He romped home to the roar of the crowd, securing a
memorable victory.
In the women’s race, Bothma, the 2023 champion set the early pace, with an East African chasing pack keeping her in their sights. Lema hunted Bothma down at the 25km mark and never looked back, erasing Cian Oldknow’s 2024 record in emphatic fashion.
For Bothma, who stormed to silver, it was a sweet finish, especially after a
rollercoaster journey since winning the Durban International Marathon back in 2023, which included back surgery just last year.
It was another successful race for the organisers, with close to 7,000 runners taking part across the 10km and marathon distances.
Men
- Reghen Magwai – 2:11:20 (New PB)
- Samuel Moloi – 2:11:31
- Simon Sibeko – 2:13:11
- Thabang Mathebula – 2:13:55
- Simon Paulus – 2:14:55
Women
- Alemitu Ajema Lema – 2:26:44 (New Course Record)
- Annie Bothma – 2:27:45
- Siftolina Daba Chemeda 2:36:15
- Alina Armas – 2:37:34
- Caren Chelegat Hurisa 2:40:39
Annie Bothma running past Moses Mabhida Stadium en route to the national title
Annie Bothma powers past the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium on her way to silver and a second ASA national title, crossing the line in a new personal best of 2:27:45.
Alemitu Lema breaking the tape at the finish
Ethiopia’s Alemitu Lema breaks the tape in glorious isolation, her time of 2:26:44 shattering the women’s course record by more than three minutes.
Reghen Magwai dictating the pace on the way to victory
Reghen Magwai sets a relentless tempo along the M4, controlling the men’s race before breaking free to claim the 2026 Durban International Marathon title in 2:11:20.