South Africa’s long distance runner Annie Bothma didn’t let a wet and windy morning stop her from winning the Athletics South Africa 42km title at the Durban International Marathon Championship on Sunday, 12 March 2023.
Annie Bothma charged to an impressive gun-to-tape victory, winning the ASA women's 42km title at the Durban International Marathon pic.twitter.com/3k479f9CvH
— Athletics_SA (@AthleticsSA_) March 12, 2023
Bothma won the women’s 42km race in 2:30:31, holding off a late challenge from Ethiopia’s Chaltu Bedo Negashu who closed down the gap between herself and Bothma with three kilometers remaining of the race. The Ethiopian ended up finishing five seconds off the pace, for a second place finish.
Bothma admitted that she struggled in the wet and windy conditions. Running in the Western Province colours this year, Bothma was happy to secure the title, after she had to fight off Negashu in the closing state of the race.
In a statement released by the citizen.co.za Bothma said:” I had no idea that girl was so close so when she came up onto my shoulder I started pushing.”
She concluded: “I thought I had it in the bag and I was struggling so I thought I could just cruise in but I had to give it everything I had in those last few kilometers.”
Results: Overall Women’s 42km Top 3
1.Annie Bothma (SA) – 02:30:31
2.Chaltu Bedo Negashu (Ethiopia) – 02:30:36
3.Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki (Kenya) – 02:36:24
Results: South African Women’s 42km Top 3
1.Annie Bothma – 02:30:31
2.Janet Mbhele – 02:37:08
3.Nontokozo Mkhize – 02:40:53
Photo 1 Caption: South Africa’s Pro Distance Runner Annie Bothma claimed the ASA women’s 42km title at the Durban International Marathon Championship on Sunday, 12 March. Photo: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts & Culture (Instagram)
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