Pietermaritzburg – Following a historic victory in the women’s Comrades Marathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, South African Caroline Wöstmann said she pushed as hard as she possibly could.
Wöstmann won the women’s race in 6 hours 12 minutes and 22 seconds, a mammoth 21 minutes ahead of countrywoman Charne Bosman who took second in the extended 87.7km route.
The win completed the rare feat of winning both Comrades and the Two Oceans marathon in the same year – something which nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce had always maintained was difficult to achieve.
The last time a local woman claimed bragging rights in the world’s most iconic ultra-marathon was in 1998 when Rae Bisschoff triumphed.
“I’ve had such an incredible day, incredible year. I’m proud of my teammate Charne who’s just come in second,” said Wöstmann .
“This is a wonderful day for South Africa to take first and second place finally after all these years. I pushed myself to the absolute limit today.”
Wöstmann adopted a measured approach starting out and was in fourth place at the first major checkpoint of the race at Cowies Hill at 16.8km.
But by Drummond Hill at 43.7km, the 32-year-old had opened a lead of just over a minute on Russian twins Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva who have 10 Comrades titles between them.
From the halfway point, Wöstmann dramatically improved her pace and also managed a negative split meaning she ran faster in the second half of the race.
Despite destroying the field, Wöstmann said she was indeed taking strain.
“The first part I did lots of smiling and feeling really good, the last 20km was a struggle – a big mental game for me. I just had to push through, I’m sore now, I’m very sore now.
“Everything is sore right now, I’m aching all over. I’m so happy it was worth all the pain today.”
Lindsey Parry who coached both Wöstmann and Bosman had prepared a detailed race strategy according to the winner.
“I was following a plan, I went through a strategy with my coach Lindsey, and it just so happened I went into the lead early. I decided this is my plan, I know what I’m capable of today and I was going to stick to that plan.”
In the men’s race fellow South African Gift Kelehe was the first person to cross the line in 2015 in a time of 5:38.36.
Mohammed Husien of Ethiopia took second as he jogged and walked his way over the line in 5:46.14.
Kelehe was down in fourth at Cato Ridge at 57.7kms but had moved up into the lead by Lions Park with 17kmS remaining. Kelehe powered to finish line almost eight minutes ahead.
“Those guys who were running in front, I was not worried because I knew they were going to die after halfway,” said Kelehe.
“On the up run, I knew I could destroy these people on the hills.” - ANA