Mokoka settled for second spot at Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Stephen Mokoka, seen here after winning ASA Championships, Picture: Richard Pierce

The defending champion of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, Stephen Mokoka was narrowly edged out on Sunday morning of the 15th October 2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon when he settled for the second spot behind the current Ethiopian champion.

Running under windy conditions of Cape Town, a large leading group of athletes passed halfway line in 1:07:00.

After the halfway, Mokoka accelerated the pace as the second half begun, but he was unable to break away enough to ensure victory and ultimately settled for the runner-up spot behind Ethiopian athlete Adane Kebede Gebre.

Gerbe saw an opportunity to snatch victory as he passed Mokoka to secured victory in 2:11:29, clocking the slowest winning time of the race since 2015.

Mokoka took second position in 2:11:34, again leading the local charge at Africa's most prestigious race.

Desmond Mokgobu was the only other South African in the top 10, taking 10th position in 2:13:21.