Masango wins inaugural Prof Otty Nxumalo Marathon

Derrick Masango delivered a tactical and composed performance to win the first edition of the Otty Nxumalo Marathon in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday 4 October. After sitting in the lead bunch, The Harambee Athletics Club athlete made his move around 30km mark, as he powered to a 2:22:17 performance. Masango was followed home by Kenyans Brian Ontieri (2:22:47) and Nelson Rono (2:25:20). The 34-year-old Masango, who pocketed  R16 000 for his performance, credited his competitors for giving him a run for the money adding that his training made him confident that victory was within his reach.

"I'm so delighted to claim the victory here," he told #TheTopRunner. "The race wasn't easy at all. Firstly, I wasn't familiar with the route and many of the runners in the race. The athletes I was competing against never made it easy for me as they were strong. But the amount of training I did before the race made me to feel confident and I delivered. So to be on the podium feels good as I love athletics," said Masango, who is trained by Sandile Mthembu, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics Athletes Commission Chairperson.

Nxumalo on his way to claiming victory at the first running of the Prof Otty Nxumalo Marathon. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Masango, who hails from Newcastle, pleaded to the local authorities like Abaqulusi Municipality that were sponsoring the race to keep supporting local talent for more diamonds to be polished. He says this race in his home district in Zululand was the right preparation as he intends to make his debut at both the Totalsports Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons next year.

"I have been running for eight years now and we need young talent to follow in our footsteps. So we need local business people to keep supporting them to reach their potential. To see a race happening close to our home brings hope and we so wish it can stay the same."

Masango says the victory has boosted his confidence ahead of his Two Oceans and Comrades debut. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Winning this race is a boost to my confidence going forward as I plan for another races. Next year, I'm going to do Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon for the first time in my career," he concluded.

In the women's race, Gladys Chepchichir had no competition as she won unmatched in 3:00:56 while Black Diamond Athletics Club athlete Nokuthula Ntshangase was second in 3:09:55 and Eunice Nhlapo finished third. Organized by the Inkamana Athletics Club who have previously hosted similar shorter distance events in the area, this inaugural 42,2km race attracted the largest field of participants that Inkamana organisers have hosted in the area - something which pleased club chairman Thami Sukazi.

"I think we got around 700 entries this year. It the highest number in the history of our event. I was worried with the safety on the road but everything went well. Now, I think we must sit down and plan for the next year. Overall, I'm happy with the turnout. It means we are going somewhere."