CAPE TOWN - Gauteng distance athlete, Puleng Maeko, has been disqualified from this year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and been handed a two year ban for a doping offence.
Maeko tested positive for a banned substance after placing seventh at the Two Oceans, which would have secured a gold medal and R14000 in prize money. The Rocky Road Runner athlete's top ten position in this year's Easter Saturday race was a major surprise, following previous average performances at Comrades and Two OCeans Marathons.
The Two Oceans yesterday released the final approved results of the 2018 race, having received the final report from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). “Following the mandatory testing by SAIDS, they have ratified their findings, allowing the event organisers to finalise the results,” was the official statement from the race office.
Two Oceans Marathon NPC board chairperson, Dr. David Maralack, expressed his appreciation to the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport and acknowledged the great work being done in ensuring ethical standards are upheld within the sport.
“As a major event on the global running calendar, the Two Oceans Marathon remains committed to ensuring the integrity of the sport is upheld at all times. We are pleased to have finality on the 2018 results and look forward to an exciting year ahead as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Two Oceans Marathon,” said Dr. Maralack.
The official results of the 2018 Old Mutual Marathon are as follows:
1. JUSTIN KEMBOI CHESIRE, Nedbank RC International (Kenya): 03:09:
2. LEBENYA NIKOKA, Nedbank RC International (Lesotho): 03:10:32
3. DAVID GATEBE, HOT Running as Entsika Athletics Club: 03:11:13
4. MELLY KENNEDY KIPTOO, Nedbank RC International (Kenya): 03:11:58
5. BONGMUSA MTHEMBU, Arthur Ford AC: 03:12:09
6. RAPHAEL SEGODI, Rocky Road Runners: 03:12:21
7. LYNO MUCHENA, Maxed Elite International (Zimbabwe): 03:14:15
8. MOEKETSI MOSUHLI, Nedbank RC International (Lesotho): 03:14:53
9. MIKE FOKORONI, Nedbank RC International (Zimbabwe): 03:16:58
10. JESSE GICHUHI, Nedbank RC International (Kenya): 03:17:29
Official top 10 women:
1. GERDA STEYN, Nedbank RC: 03:39:32
2. DOMINIKA STELMACH, Nedbank International (Poland): 03:41:57
3. CHARNE BOSMAN, Nedbank RC: 03:45:22
4. TANITH MAXWELL, Boxer Superstores AC: 03:49:49
5. ANN ASHWORTH, Massmart AC: 03:50:35
6. ALEXANDRA MOROZOVA, Nedbank International (Russia): 03:53:08
7. LOVENESS MADZIVA, Nedbank RC International (Zimbabwe): 03:56:18
8. YOLANDE MACLEAN, KPMG RC (CG): 03:57:55
9. SELAM ABERE ALEBACHEW, Nedbank International (Ethiopia): 03:59:24
10. NTOMBESINTU MFUNZI, Nedbank AC: 03:59:27