Hundreds tackle sixth Heads Marathon

KNYSNA NEWS - As was the case in 2022, roughly 500 runners laced up their running shoes on Saturday 4 March for the sixth edition of the annual Knysna Heads Marathon. Lloyd Bosman was the 2023 men's and overall winner, while Catherine Williamson broke the three-hour barrier to finish as the fastest woman on the day.

Sponsored by Rawson Properties this year, the event was once again split across four distances – a 5km fun run; 10km; 21,1km (half-marathon); 42,2km (full marathon) – and started on Thesens Islands.

The various races got going not-so-bright but very early, with the 42,2km and 21,1km beginning at 06:00 and the 5km and 10km races 30 minutes later at 06:00.

The Knysna Heads Marathon is fast and flat and serves as a great qualifier for the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons.

As can be expected with a run that snakes its way along the Knysna Estuary, it is a very scenic route that takes runners from Thesens Islands out along the lagoon walkway to Leisure Isle, and then back out, through town and along the N2 to the Phantom Pass Road, and back again before it finishes on Thesens Islands.

Olga Mosito enjoys a moment of respite in the latter sages of her 21,1km run.

The weather conditions weren't quite the same as last year, with nowhere near as much rain falling in the early hours of the morning. A light early morning drizzle (if one could even go so far to call it a drizzle) left some moisture in the air, creating great running conditions for the participants.

The runners enjoyed this weather and recorded some great times. Lluwellyn du Toit was victorious in the 10km, clocking a time of 34:39, followed by Wayne April (35:11) and Linden Bosman (35:47). Nikki Walter was the first woman to finish, doing so in 44:48, with Bailee Nell (48:13) the second woman and Rina Wray (56:07) the third.

Last year's 10km winner, Selwyn Matthews, this year opted to double his distance and try his hand at the 21,1km.

He couldn't have had a better race, completing his half-marathon in 1:11:34 and beating the 2022 winning time by 53 seconds. Francois Maquassa (1:14:12) was second overall, and Amber-Jade Claasen (1:19:36) was third. Melissa van Rensburg was the first woman, finishing in 1:27:32. She was followed by Anna Haw (1:41:05) and Nadine Pretorius (1:43:52).

Finally, in the 42,2km full-marathon Lloyd Bosman was rapid. Bosman blitzed his way to a six-minute victory, completing his marathon with a time of 2:37:01. Fastest Veteran (40-49) Willard Jussah was second, finishing in 2:43:02, and Saziphi Blaai (2:45:46) was third.

This year's women's winner in the 42,2km was on a mission. Having won last year's half-marathon, Catherine Williamson was determined to do the same in the full-marathon. She not only won, but did so in under three hours with a time of 2:56:34, which is 14 minutes and 14 seconds quicker than last year's winning women's time. Kate Rees (3:06:31) was the second woman and Bianca Brent (3:38:11) the third woman.

Daniel Moore missions on during his half-marathon. Photo: Blake Linder