Nadolo shines in South African marathon
Malawian athlete Mphatso Nadolo at the weekend stood up to be counted when he finished fifth in the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The 56-kilometre event is rated as one of the biggest marathons in Africa and this year’s edition attracted over 14 000 participants with the winner carting home R250 000 (about K24 million).
The South Africa-based Nadolo finished the race in three hours, 11 minutes and 35 seconds (3:11:35), about two minutes five seconds behind the eventual winner Onalena Khonkhobe from South Africa. Lloyd Bosman, also from the Rainbow Nation, was the runner-up after finishing 28 seconds after his compatriot.
Zimbabwean Givemore Mudzinganyama was third while Lebello Mopenyane from Lesotho finished fourth.
Nadolo, who turns 30 next month, received R25 000 (about K2.4 million) as his prize.
In an interview on Monday, the long-distance runner said: “This is one of the biggest ultra-marathons in Africa, the other being the Oceans. It attracted the best long-distance runners from across the continent and beyond and I am very excited.
“I thank the management of my club, Insika, who gave me all the support. In fact, as a token of appreciation, they have given me an equal of the prize money I got [R25 000].”
Nadolo said his club gave him a target to finish in the top 10 “and I gave myself a target of a top-three finish”.
He said: “So, I reckon a top five finish wasn’t bad, but I could have done better. Next year, I will compete again and this time my target will be to finish in three hours seven minutes because if I hit that, then I will win.”
The athlete said he would also like to compete in the Soweto and Port Elizabeth marathons in which his club management have promised to register him for overseas tournaments should he win.
His manager Stanely Mwakhiwa said: “The Two Oceans Marathon attracts big-name long distance athletes from across Africa. So, even a top-10 finish could have still been a big achievement.
“It is great to see him compete with high-profile athletes such as Steve Mukoko and he is destined for big things.”
Mwakhiwa said this was the second time Nadolo was taking part in an ultra marathon, having also competed in the Mangosuthu Ultra Marathon in which he finished fourth.
He said his athlete has previously won a number of marathons such as the Durban and 1 City marathons.
On the domestic scene, he has won the Blantyre Marathon a couple of times.
Mwakhiwa said apart from Nadolo, at least nine other Malawians participated in the Two Oceans event, including himself, Imran Paya, Peter Chiwaya, George Kanjuchi, Willard Jussa, Jimmy Bonjesi and Gloria Chitedzi.
Athletics Malawi president Kondwani Chamwala said they are excited with Nadolo’s progress.
He said: “We have known Mphatso as a marathoner, finishing fifth in a 56-kilometre ultra marathon is not a small achievement. He has just proved that it is doable.”
