Frans dominates NMB Gqeberha 50km as Madziva announces Nedbank return with victory

After a productive 2025 season that saw him win two international marathons, Melikhaya Frans has picked up where he left off. One of South Africas top marathoners delivered a dominant performance to win today's (31 January) NMB Gqeberha Ultra 50km by almost five minutes. Running in his hometown, the 35-year-old passed the marathon mark in 2:25:23 before breasting the finishing tape at Pollock Beach in Summerstrand in 2:54:48 as Gift Chigomararwa took second (2:59:23) and Pfarelo Mathada of Entsika AC claimed third (3:07:49).

The top five men were rewarded for their performances with prize money. Photo Credit: NMB Gqeberha Ultra.

"The main thing was to defend my title," he told journalists after the race. "I said it during the week that my main goal was to defend the title and enjoy myself in a 50km race. So I’m so excited that I won today's 50km."

Having recently rejoined the Nedbank Running Club after parting ways with the Hollywood Athletic Club, KwaZulu-Natal based Zimbabwean Loveness Madziva was eager to prove her worth and did so by comfortably winning the women's race in 3:26:27. Kenya’s Gladys Jepchirchir finished as the runner up (3:30:57), while Dane Cronje of Gqeberha’s Charlo Athletic Club rounded out the podium in 3:46:42.

Madziva who claimed a podium finish at the 2024 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, claimed her first victory since rejoining the Nedbank Running Club earlier this month. Photo Credit: NMB Gqeberha 50km.

As it was in the 50km men's race, the recently introduced half marathon was also won by a local athlete. Sinawo Poti who trains alongside Frans at the Ikamva Athletic Club stopped the cock in 1:08:26 to win by 46 seconds and underline his status as a prospect for future success. Having claimed a top twenty finish at the highly competitive Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon last June, Poti believes his victory is just reward for the kilometres he put in during the off season.

"This win means a lot to me because it's a good way to start the season. It shows that we were training in December and working hard behind the scenes. I'd like to thank my entire team, especially my coach Michael Mbambani and his family as well as all my supporters. It means a lot to me."

2025 SA 3000m Steeplechase champion Aphelele Nkonyeni won the men's 10km race as Nebank's Oyama Ntantiso took second (31:09) and Sibusio Colepi third (31:39). Photo Credit: NMB Gqeberha 50km.

Using road races as part of his preparation for the track and field season, reigning SA 3000m steeplechase champion Aphelele Nkonyeni won the 10km in 31:01 on a typically windy day in the Friendly City. In total, 1866 runners took part in the event - a number which pleased Councillor Neville Higgins, the MMC for Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture. He highlighted how this event continues to put Nelson Mandela Bay on the map as a premier sporting destination.

"It traditionally used to be a 50km and 10km event but because of the demand from the community who also want to take part, organisers added a 21km race. It's good for the city because it encourages residents to live a healthy lifestyle. It’s also good for the hospitality industry because we get a lot of runners coming from outside the city, which positions us as one of the best sporting destinations in the country."