Tjoka Retains Soweto Title

2005’s defending champion, Mamarolla Tjoka (running in Mr Price colours) has retained her title, after winning the Nedbank Soweto Marathon yesterday according to the Independent Online, and will have won a reported R60,000 for her efforts.

Tjoka was followed by Harmony’s Gloria Baeba some five minutes later, who with Margaret Mahohoma, Louisa Leballo, Jane Pooe and Joyce Kangono made if five in the top 10 finishers for Harmony Athletics Club.

Tjoka’s 2005 victory was initially in dispute after concerns about her start following a late arrival due to congestion, but yesterday’s result is surely without concern.

In the Veterans division, Old Ed’s Tessa Burrell claimed her winning place in just under three hours, a bare nine minutes behind the marathon’s clear winner, and her time placed in a convincing her fifth place overall.

Linda Potgieter came in thirty minutes later to claim victory in the Masters division to add to Harmony’s pride.

Seniors*

1 Mamarolla Tjoka (Mr Price) 2:47:00

2 Gloria Baeba (HAC) 2:52:11

3 Margaret Mahohoma (HAC) 2:55:16

4 Louisa Leballo (HAC) 2:55:56

5 Tessa Burrell (Old Eds) 2:55:56

6 Eunice Nhlapho (Liberty) 3:03:13

7 Jane Pooe (HAC) 3:04:21

8 Joyce Kangono (HAC) 3:05:12

9 Mankutoane Matlakeng (Mr Price) 3:05:31

10 Sarah Mahlangu (Liberty) 3:12:10

Veterans*

1 Tessa Burrell (Old Eds) 2:55:56

2 Sarah Mahlangu (Liberty) 3:12:10

3 Jane Madau (HAC) 3:21:53

Masters*

1 Linda Potgieter (HAC) 3:35:03

* Source: Independent Online Website