SA’S THULANI MAGAGULA IS FSRA MARATHON CHAMP

LOBAMBA -South African runner, Thulane Magagula is the king of the fourth edition of the Financial Service Regulatory Authority (FSRA) Marathon.

The KMPG athlete outran his competitors in the 42km race for the E10 000 first prize that was at stake. He crossed the finish line in 2:24:19 hours while another South African runner, Thulani Manana came second in 2:24:41 hours.
Last year’s winner Collin Khoza completed the top three in 2:35:31 hours.

Magagula did not only win the race but he bettered last year’s winning record of 2:27:12 hours which had been set by this year’s bronze medallist, Khoza.
It was not an easy win for Magagula as he had to come from behind to beat Manana and Khoza for the first prize.

For the better part of the race, Khoza was leading, but Magagula and Manana caught up with their countryman past Sundowners Lodge, where they ran along each other until Gwamile Voctim in Matsapha, where the champion engaged another gear to open an estimated 100m gap. By that time they had run for 1:30 hours. Magagula increased the gap to about 500m after he turned the corner at Kwaluseni on his way back to the finish point.

The route for the main race started at Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Technical Centre at Lobamba, through to Mahlanya, Malandela’s, turned at Malkerns circle and went along Brookside Lodge, Sundowners, Inyatsi Construction Head offices, Mahhala, Kwaluseni, Lozitha and back to the finish point.
Speaking after the race, Magagula said he was happy to have won the race. “This is my first time taking part in the race and I am so happy that I managed to win it, which was my target. When the race started, I did not panic as Collin was leading but I knew I would catch up with him along the way and I did. The trick to winning a marathon is maintaining the same pace and some will drop off as the race route gets tougher,” he said.

Asked on his meal before the race, he said that he only ate porridge and boiled chicken meat, and two bananas.
“I only drank water during the course of the race. That meal was perfect for me as it gave me stamina and the weather was just perfect also.
‘‘I did not need hydrated drinks to keep me going, water was just enough,” he said.

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