Cape Town – Kenya’s Emmanuel Bett was declared the winner of the inaugural FNB Cape Town 12 Onerun from Milnerton to the Cape Town CBD on Sunday.
He and fellow countryman and Daniel Salel fought to the line for a close finish, and after much deliberation, the decision went the way of Bett.
Both runners were credited with the same time of 33 minutes and 32 seconds (33:32).
Kenya also claimed the honours in the women’s event when Vivian Cheruiyot won in 38:22, ahead of Yenenesh Tilahun of Ethiopia who clocked 39:17.
In near perfect conditions, the race got underway from the start in Milnerton at 9am. The country’s top 10 men and women were up against the likes of world stars Salel, Bett, Moses Kipsiro and Cheruiyot.
It was evident within the first 2km this was to be a hard and fast race. Bett, who has run a 27:51.16 for 10 000m, was in no mood for a bunch finish and set a blistering pace from the gun.
Within 2km of the start, the lead group of twenty plus had been whittled down to eight, with Bett setting the pace. Salel ran alongside him with Kipsiro, Timothy Toroitich, Elroy Gelant, Gladwin Mzazi and Lucky Mohale sitting on their tails.
By 3km Mohale had been blown away. Bett continued to race at a 2:47/km (2 minutes 47 seconds) pace which saw first Gladwin Mzazi drop off (around 4km just before the race entered the harbour). Gelant started to fade from the leading pack shortly thereafter, and when Kipsiro dropped just before the halfway mark, it was down to three.
Bett was not going to let up on the pace, despite feeling nauseous at around 6km. As they entered Government alley at the top of Adderley Street (9km), there was still no splitting Toroitich, Salel and Bett. 10km was passed in 27:48 and a world record was on.
Not even the short but sharp climb up Buitengracht Street separated the trio, but the climb lost the leaders some valuable seconds as they chased the record and victory.
With just over 1km to go, Bett and Salel upped the pace and Toroitich fell off.
The race for victory went to the line as both Salel and Bett were awarded the time of 33:32, the officials giving Bett the nod – one second off the world record.
Toroitich finished third, Moses Kipsiro fourth and the first South African home was Gelant in fifth place.
“I’m very happy with my run today,” said Bett afterwards. “I have had some injury problems in the last few years, so this show’s me I’m in good shape and getting back to where I was. I will be competing in the Prefontaine Classic on 30 May in the 10 000m and then the Kenyan trials. I want to qualify for the World Championships”.
Gelant was ecstatic after his fifth place. He said: “My hamstring is now all good. This was a hard race. The Kenyans were really flying, but I am very happy”.
The women’s race saw four-time World Champion and Olympic silver and bronze medallist Cheruiyot break away just before half way.
She crossed the line ahead of Tilahun, with Lebo Phalula, the first South African home, in third place in 39:21.
Stephan Claassen, FNB Business: Western Cape Provincial Head, said after the race the event was a huge success.
“We are delighted with the success of our inaugural FNB Cape Town 12 Onerun. We believe that this occasion is more than a race but an event that showcases the splendour of the City of Cape Town. We congratulate all the athletes who participated in the event as well as the spectators who cheered them on to the finishing line,” said Claassen.
“We are already seeing interest from participants across other parts of the country so we expect to host an even bigger event next year. We are thrilled to be able to offer this experience to athletes and the people of Cape Town.” - ANA