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Credit : pastyhead80 Paul Navesey grinded past more than 2805 runners to win in 01:08:10. Marcus England earned runner-up honours with a time of 01:08:55. The third place went to James Turner with a time of 01:09:29 For the women, Bobby Searle claimed victory with a time of 01:22:25, followed by Dani Tarleton who finished with a time of 01:23:03. Emily Proto got the third place in 01:24:33. Top 5 Men 1 Paul Navesey 01:08:10 2 Marcus England 01:08:55 3 James Turner 01:09:29 4 Ollie Garrod 01:09:52 5 Jason Lee 01:13:52 Top 5 Women 1 Bobby Searle 01:22:25 2 Dani Tarleton 01:23:03 3 Emily Proto 01:24:33 4 Katherine Hudson 01:24:58 5 Geraldine Moffat 01:28:11 Complete results The next race of the Brighton Half Marathon will be on February 27, 2022.

S 25 Berlin Thijs Nijhuis grinded past more than 1720 runners to win in 01:17:12. Hendrik Pfeiffer earned runner-up honours with a time of 01:17:23. Fabian Clarkson (01:21:14) made notched third place. For the women, Liliana Dragomir won the race with a time of 01:30:53 , followed by Deborah Schöneborn who finished with a time of 01:33:46. While Maja Seidel came in third at 01:41:29 Top 5 Men 1 Thijs Nijhuis 01:17:12 2 Hendrik Pfeiffer 01:17:23 3 Fabian Clarkson 01:21:14 4 Ernest Kibet Tarus 01:21:16 5 Filip Vercruysse 01:22:08 Top 5 Women 1 Liliana Dragomir 01:30:53 2 Deborah Schöneborn 01:33:46 3 Maja Seidel 01:41:29 4 Karsta Parsiegla 01:45:47 5 Clarissa Lehmeyer 01:53:05 Complete results Half Marathon Marcel Krieshoff grinded past more than 945 runners to win in 01:10:58. Björn Trochim earned runner-up honours with a time of 01:13:22. The third place went to Magnus Skaar with a time of 01:14:46 For the women, Lena Sommer took top honours by finishing the race in 01:22:18 , followed by Dr. Med. Stefanie Von Mechow who finished with a time of 01:26:14. Rounding out the top three was Linda Weißer with a time of 01:30:49. Top 5 Men 1 Marcel Krieshoff 01:10:58 2 Björn Trochim 01:13:22 3 Magnus Skaar 01:14:46 4 William Bugler 01:16:42 5 Jan Brockmeyer 01:16:55 Top 5 Women 1 Lena Sommer 01:22:18 2 Dr. Med. Stefanie Von Mechow 01:26:14 3 Linda Weißer 01:30:49 4 Camilla Haukeberg 01:34:00 5 Agata Pawłowska 01:34:21 Complete results 10K Frank Schauer outpaced more then 1760 runners to win in 00:29:44. Antonin Marquant earned runner-up honours with a time of 00:30:09. Finishing third was Niels Michalk (00:30:36). In the women’s race, Esther Jacobitz took top spot in 00:35:16 , ahead of Fanny Pruvost (00:35:32). Finishing third was Julia Ellinor Nilsson (00:36:08). Top 5 Men 1 Frank Schauer 00:29:44 2 Antonin Marquant 00:30:09 3 Niels Michalk 00:30:36 4 Hugo Winock 00:31:11 5 Lucas Pruvost 00:32:31 Top 5 Women 1 Esther Jacobitz 00:35:16 2 Fanny Pruvost 00:35:32 3 Julia Ellinor Nilsson 00:36:08 4 Hella Haak 00:39:17 5 Clara Maria Cesarini 00:39:56 Complete results

Credit : marksonnex Dan Bradley got a win, finishing with a time of 01:11:04, followed by Michael Ellis who finished with a time of 01:14:09. Ian King got the third place in 01:19:34. In the ladies race, Jo Vickers claimed victory with a time of 01:27:06 . Lianne Leakey earned runner-up honours with a time of 01:31:55. Finishing third was Sophie Preston (01:33:27). Top 5 Men 1 Dan Bradley 01:11:04 2 Michael Ellis 01:14:09 3 Ian King 01:19:34 4 Matthew Moran 01:20:12 5 Kieran Mcauliffe 01:21:30 Top 5 Women 1 Jo Vickers 01:27:06 2 Lianne Leakey 01:31:55 3 Sophie Preston 01:33:27 4 Georgia Harte-fisk 01:34:34 5 Catherine Linney 01:35:49 Complete results

Credit : Jessy Jay Oscar Bell grinded past more than 10085 runners to win in 01:09:14. He finished 2 minutes 46 seconds ahead of Cole Gibbens. The third place went to Neil Mcclements with a time of 01:12:34 For the women, it was Karima Harris (01:25:45) taking the top spot. She finished 4 minutes 7 seconds ahead of Olivia Markham. The third place went to Julia Kelk with a time of 01:33:19 Top 5 Men 1 Oscar Bell 01:09:14 2 Cole Gibbens 01:12:00 3 Neil Mcclements 01:12:34 4 Toby Clyde 01:14:08 5 Stuart Spencer 01:14:40 Top 5 Women 1 Karima Harris 01:25:45 2 Olivia Markham 01:29:52 3 Julia Kelk 01:33:19 4 Laura Asplin 01:33:54 5 Clare Norris 01:34:24 Complete results

Marathon Eindhoven Silas Too outran roughly 1527 runners to win with a time of 02:06:32. Martin Kosgey secured second in this year’s race with a time of 02:06:56. Finishing third was Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh (02:07:01). For the women, it was Bregje Smits (02:48:08) taking the top spot, ahead of Wendy Lenaert (02:59:08). The third place went to Marieke Van Der Vegt with a time of 03:02:49 Top 5 Men 1 Silas Too 02:06:32 2 Martin Kosgey 02:06:56 3 Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh 02:07:01 4 Simon Kipkosgei 02:07:07 5 Shumay Solomon Mogos 02:07:10 Top 5 Women 1 Bregje Smits 02:48:08 2 Wendy Lenaert 02:59:08 3 Marieke Van Der Vegt 03:02:49 4 Christelle Lemaire 03:03:04 5 Eefje Ottevanger 03:11:13 Complete results Halve Marathon Eindhoven Tony Hatefnejad got a win, finishing with a time of 01:10:51. He bested Arjen Van Der Logt who crossed the finish line 14 seconds behind him. Luc Schout got the third place in 01:11:37. In the ladies race, Marije Geurtsen took top spot in 01:21:43 . Eline De Jong earned runner-up honours with a time of 01:25:30. Finishing third was Yuliia Profis (01:25:44). Top 5 Men 1 Tony Hatefnejad 01:10:51 2 Arjen Van Der Logt 01:11:05 3 Luc Schout 01:11:37 4 Evert Feyaerts 01:11:42 5 Teun Duisters 01:12:19 Top 5 Women 1 Marije Geurtsen 01:21:43 2 Eline De Jong 01:25:30 3 Yuliia Profis 01:25:44 4 Serana Tielbeek-kemp 01:27:10 5 Franziska Schrader 01:27:36 Complete results Jumbo 10K Casper Van Der Putten took top honours by finishing the race in 00:31:24. Jens Roth secured second in this year’s race with a time of 00:33:35. Finishing third was Martijn Eijssen (00:33:52). In the women’s race, Mela Kraus scored victory with a time of 00:38:28 . She finished 2 minutes 26 seconds ahead of Joost Hagendoorn. Miranda Van Bussel got the third place in 00:41:17. Top 5 Men 1 Casper Van Der Putten 00:31:24 2 Jens Roth 00:33:35 3 Martijn Eijssen 00:33:52 4 Matthias Kindel 00:34:26 5 Jeroen Don 00:36:37 Top 5 Women 1 Mela Kraus 00:38:28 2 Joost Hagendoorn 00:40:54 3 Miranda Van Bussel 00:41:17 4 Dave Extra 00:41:49 5 Sofia Morais 00:42:42 Complete results Aon City Run 4.5 km In the women’s race, Mela Kraus finished first in 00:38:28 . She finished 2 minutes 26 seconds ahead of Joost Hagendoorn. Finishing third was Miranda Van Bussel (00:41:17). Top 5 Women 1 Mela Kraus 00:38:28 2 Joost Hagendoorn 00:40:54 3 Miranda Van Bussel 00:41:17 4 Dave Extra 00:41:49 5 Sofia Morais 00:42:42 Complete results The next race of the Marathon Eindhoven will be on October 09, 2022.

BOSTON— In a welcome return after a 910-day absence, the 125th Boston Marathon took center stage on the roads between Hopkinton and Boston. Some 15,736 participants started this year’s historic edition of the world’s oldest annual marathon, with a pair of first time champions and two familiar faces topping the podium. The first fall edition of the Boston Marathon did not disappoint. The men’s and women’s professional race crowned new champions, with Kenyans Benson Kipruto, 30, winning in 2:09:51 and Diana Kipyokei, 27, in 2:24:45. The wheelchair divisions, meanwhile, belonged to a pair of familiar names, with the Swiss duo of Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär breaking the tape. Schär defended her Boston title in 1:35:21, with Hug winning here for the fifth time, in 1:18:11. In the men’s professional race, Kipruto – who finished tenth here in 2019, his only previous appearance – ran the second half of the race almost three minutes faster than the first, assuming the lead at mile 23 after being part of the pack chasing American CJ Albertson for 20 miles. Albertson, on his 28th birthday, took off alone at the start at one point led by 2:13 until he was finally reeled in on Heartbreak Hill (he’d later finish tenth). “It was a nice feeling today after finishing tenth a couple of years ago,” Kipruto said while wearing his gold olive wreath. “I’m happy today to be a champion.” Kipyokei took the lead in mile 18, at first see-sawing with Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia before soon taking off on her own. Two-time Boston champion Edna Kiplagat, 41, was runner-up, her time of 2:25:09 breaking the course master’s record. (Please note: women’s champion Diana Kipyokei prefers the surname spelling Kipyokei, as opposed to Kipyogei, which is often referenced among past results and competitions). Hug came within a late-race miscalculation from breaking his course record and world best of 1:18:04, set here in 2017. Instead of turning right onto Hereford Street, the veteran was so focused on breaking the record that he inadvertently went straight, following a lead vehicle that was leaving the course. “It was my fault,” he said, estimating that he lost about 20 seconds. Hug was still pleased with the victory. “It’s fantastic to be here in Boston again after last year’s cancellation. So it’s fantastic.” Schär was the women’s wheelchair victor, finishing ahead of runner-up Tatyana McFadden by 14:59. Schär led wire to wire. “I always have to use that first downhill because it’s one of my strengths,” said the three-time champion and course record holder. “So I did that and was able to break away from the pack.” Top Americans in the professional race were Nell Rojas, 33, of Boulder, CO, and Colin Bennie, 26, a native of Massachusetts now living in Charlottesville, VA, who was competing in his first major city marathon after finishing 9th in his debut at the distance last year. “It means the world to me,” he said of coming home to run his first Boston. Participants continue to complete the 125th Boston Marathon; finish totals will be available once the event comes to a conclusion. Results and leaderboards for today’s race can be found here.

(Cape Town, 11 October 2021) – Mass participation sport is back. The City of Cape Town will roll out the welcome mat for the second weekend in a row when the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon returns to the Mother City’s streets and mountain trails. The organisers have confirmed that they are ready to host the country’s first major marathon for 2021, and that they are on track with the final preparations, in accordance with their COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan. “We are excited to welcome over 9,000 marathon runners and 1,000 trail runners this coming weekend,” says Renee Jordaan, Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Race Director. “We also anticipate over 5,000 local and international participants in our 5km, 10km and 21km Virtual Peace Runs, which runners can still enter for until 15 October.” Mokoka, Steyn face serious challenge In the elite camp, Stephen Mokaka is aiming to make it two wins from two starts at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, while Gerda Steyn is looking for a marathon victory on her marathon debut on South African soil. But the two South Africans will face some stiff opposition on 17 October. Mokoka can expect serious challenges from the likes of Ethiopia’s Belachew Amato (2:07.55 – the second fastest in the field behind Mokoka), and Kenya’s Daniel Mututi (runner up in the 2019 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – 2:09.25) and Emmanuel Oliaulo Ngatuny (2:08.22), he will also face stiff opposition from three other Kenyans. Cosmas Kveva enters the 2021 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon with a best of 2:09.57 (Debno Marathon, 2014) and a pedigree of 11 Marathon wins from 26 starts. Twenty two year old Robert Chemosin is fast making a name for himself in the marathon. Debuting in 2015 with a 2:08.5 (Warszawa Marathon, Poland) Chemosin has run seven marathons, and never placing outside of the top ten. Aperumoi Joseph Kachapi boasts a best of 2:08.26, run in Amsterdam in 2017 where he finished 10th. His 60:54 half marathon time run in the rarified air of Eldoret (2095m altitude) is indicative of an ability to sustain a fast pace under very trying conditions. Steyn is amongst impressive company, facing five athletes who have run faster than 2:29 and the competition is at a similar level to her. Fastest in the field is Kenya’s Lucy Karimi with her 2:24.24 (3rd Geneva Marathon, 2021). 2019 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon runner-up, Nurit Shimels is also back, boasting a best of 2:27.40. Namibia’s Beata Naigambo who has represented the county on 11 occasions. She has a best of 2:26.57 to her name. Ayantu Abera Demissa and Beje Bekelu Geleta of Ethiopia complete the line up with bests of 2:29.30 (Padova, 2019) and 2:27.50 (Sevilla, 2020) respectively. With a field tightly compacted, Steyn will for the first time possibly need to be looking at a tactical race, as opposed to running for time. Jam-packed race weekend Race Week will kick off with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Registration and Expo at DHL Cape Town Stadium on 15 and 16 October, where participants will undergo their COVID rapid antigen tests, collect their race packs and indulge in some last-minute pre-race shopping. Trail snakes will line up at the start of the 46km and 22km Trail Runs on Saturday, 16 October, while runners from across the globe can participate in the Virtual Peace Runs on the same day. The Marathon will take centre stage on Sunday, 17 October, when over 9,000 runners will take to the Mother City’s streets along the iconic and scenic race route. Organising the 2021 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has had its own unique set of challenges in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive Risk Mitigation Plan presented to stakeholders at the highest levels has earned race organisers the green light from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the City of Cape Town to host the event this year. Amendments made for the safety and wellness of everybody involved in the event include a reduced marathon field, compulsory antigen tests prior to registration, and a staggered race start with small groups. “Sadly, this year’s race is required to be a spectator-free event, but we can assure all athletes that our refreshment point crew will add all the energy and vibe they need to power through the course from start to finish,” adds Jordaan. “We encourage supporters to follow the event on SuperSport 1 or SABC 2, on our Facebook page or website between 06h00 and 09h30 on Sunday morning, and thank the community in advance for supporting our safety adjustments and helping us stage a safe and responsible event”. Echoing Jordaan’s comments, JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security adds: “The City of Cape Town views the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as one of the key events that could go a long way in being a catalyst in the long-term recovery, as well as the sustainability of the events and tourism industries. “Our City events and disaster risk management officials are working with the organisers to ensure we put together a safe and successful race. We would like to urge lovers of the marathon to help us ensure a safe event by following the broadcast on TV and online.” Visit www.capetownmarathon.com for more information on Race Week, including Race Day road closures, or to enter the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Virtual Peace Runs.

Rachid El Morabity outpaced more then 353 runners to win in 21:17:32. Mohamed El Morabity earned runner-up honours with a time of 21:32:12. The third place went to Merile Robert with a time of 22:39:02 For the women, it was Aziza Raji who took the top spot in 30:30:24 . She bested Tomomi Bitoh who crossed the finish line 4 heure et 8 minutes 53 secondes behind her. Finishing third was Aicha Omrani (35:47:48). Top 5 Men 1 Rachid El Morabity MAR 21:17:32 2 Mohamed El Morabity MAR 21:32:12 3 Merile Robert FRA 22:39:02 4 Aziz Yachou MAR 22:41:46 5 Mathieu Blanchard FRA 25:01:23 Top 5 Women 1 Aziza Raji MAR 30:30:24 2 Tomomi Bitoh JPN 34:39:17 3 Aicha Omrani FRA 35:47:48 4 Hassna Hamdouch MAR 36:01:59 5 Elise Caillet FRA 36:27:15 Complete results The next race of the Marathon des Sables will be on March 25, 2022.

Alexander Hirschhäuser and Corinna Harrer won the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON and took the national championships which were included in the race. The event was the third race in Germany to go ahead with more than 10,000 runners during the Corona pandemic. In the past two months Berlin’s half marathon and marathon races were staged successfully in the capital. Similar to Berlin Munich organisers had provided a detailed hygiene concept and got the go ahead from the relevant authorities in Munich just a month ago. Including events at 10 k and the half marathon distance 10,659 runners from 85 nations took part in the 35th edition of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON. The traditional race, which started and finished in Munich’s iconic Olympic Stadium, is a World Athletics Label Road Race. While it was not possible to assemble an international elite field at such short notice the German marathon championships were included last minute in the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON. In fine but very cool conditions at first, it was Alexander Hirschhäuser, who took the lead from Tom Thurley before the 30 k mark. The 29 year-old was then never challenged and clocked a personal best of 2:18:38. “I am proud that I kept going despite some bad patches,” said Alexander Hirschhäuser, who indicated that he will try to snatch a place on the German marathon team for the European Championships which will be held in Munich next summer. Anthony Tomsich, who has US and German citizenship and lived in Germany recently, came through from sixth place at half way to take second in 2:19:30. “It was a great race, something we all missed for so long,” said Anthony Tomsich. Theo weeks after dropping out of the Berlin Marathon Philipp Baar was third in 2:21:03. Corinna Harrer moved clear of Isabel Leibfried at around 35k in the women’s race. The former European Indoor 3,000 m silver medallist (2013) clocked 2:43:11 to take the German marathon title for the first time. “To win the German Championship race in front of a home crowd is amazing. It was thrilling to run into the Olympic Stadium for the finish,” said the 30 year-old Corinna Harrer. Behind second placed Isabel Leibfried, who clocked 2:44:09, Switzerland’s Andrea Meier took third in 2:46:58. “It was a great event with superb atmosphere,” said Race Director Gernot Weigl. For the first time the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON is among the Label Road Races of the international athletics federation World Athletics. “We have decided to develop the international potential of our race much stronger than in the past. Clearly the city of Munich is a major international tourist destination. And there could not be a better opportunity for runners to visit this great Bavarian city than for the marathon,” said Gernot Weigl, who intends to establish the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON as a top international elite road race as well. From 2022 onwards he will therefore cooperate with an established elite race coordinator. The fact that the Munich Olympic Games from 1972 will be 50 years ago in 2022 might further boost the attractiveness of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON, which will be staged on 9 October next year. While the current course is much more attractive and has little in common with the route the athletes took in 1972 the main feature is the same: the start and finish in the Olympic Stadium. Just a few days ago organizers of the GENERALI MUNICH MARATHON were able to announce further good news. Italian company Generali, which is already involved in a number of international road races, has renewed their contract with the event in Munich. “With regard to our goal to develop the race further internationally we are delighted that Generali shares our aims, continues to support us and has committed to the title sponsorship for another three editions until 2023,” said Gernot Weigl. More information is available online at: www.generalimuenchenmarathon.de

Credit : Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Kevin Morris Daniel Romanchuk completes the hat trick and Tatyana McFadden wins her ninth title in the elite wheelchair competition CHICAGO — In today’s 43rd running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon race organizers and participants celebrated the return to in-person racing 728 days after its last finish line closed. Under cloudy skies and less-than-ideal race conditions, 26,000 participants traveled through 29 Chicago neighborhoods to make history as the Chicago Marathon is the first of the American Abbott World Marathon Majors to come back online after almost two years. The elite races crowned new champions as Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) ran away with the victory in 2:22:31 and Seifu Tura (ETH) accelerated to the finish in 2:06:12. Americans Emma Bates and Galen Rupp finished second in the women’s and men’s competition, highlighting the power of U.S. distance running. “This year’s race was a celebration of the collective spirit of our running community, our city, our event sponsors, our volunteers, and our spectators,” said Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon executive race director. “The elite competition highlighted the grit and determination of all of our runners, and we’re excited to do it again in 2022.” The Elite Competition With the tagline “Chicago is Your Start Line” motivating runners during the lead-up to this year’s event, elite athletes from around the world gathered in Grant Park to battle their competition. The women’s race almost immediately turned into a time trial with Ruth Chepngetich barreling out of the start on a blistering sub-2:12 pace. Chepngetich, the 2019 World Marathon champion, dropped her pacer eight and a half miles in as she threw caution to the wind in what appeared to be a world record attempt. Compatriot Vivian Kiplagat tried to match Chepngetich’s early stride, resulting in a strenuous race and a significant positive split over the second half the course. While Chepngetich set out in a race against the clock, she decelerated over the final kilometers, and her sub-2:12 pace evolved into a 2:22:31 victory, run the hard way as she dueled the warm temperature and gusting winds over the second half of the race. With Kiplagat steadily faltering, Americans Emma Bates and Sara Hall moved into contention for podium finishes. Hall, a pre-race favorite, put the American Record on the backburner as she struggled over the second half to maintain her pace. Meanwhile, Bates ran the best marathon of her career, negative splitting the course to finish second in 2:24:20, a personal best that lands her ninth on the U.S. all-time list of fastest marathon runners. Hall finished third in 2:27:19, and American Keira D’Amato finished fourth in 2:28:44. After powering through the first half in 1:08:50, Kiplagat faded to fifth in 2:29:14. “This is my first time in the United States,” said Chepngetich following the race. “I have to say I am so excited and happy for the win of today. The race was good. It was nice, but it was tough. To push alone is not easy. I just focused and believed for myself.” While the women’s race up front turned into a solo record attempt, the men’s race kicked off on 1:02:30 pace with a small pack forming toward the front. Ethiopia’s Shifera Tamru eventually took a page from Chepngetich’s playbook and dropped the event’s pacer eight miles in, pushing the pace alone before the chase pack reeled him back in. A steady pack of seven men rolled through 19 miles together, but the pack started to fracture shortly after 20 miles. A 4:42 split at Mile 21 reduced the race to three: Seifu Tura (ETH), Galen Rupp (USA), and Eric Kiptanui (KEN). As the 38K mark approached, Tura hit the gas pedal and took flight, throwing down a 4:40 mile while playing an aggressive game of “catch me if you can.” Rupp tried valiantly to catch Tura, dropping Kiptanui in the process, but he could not match the closing speed of Tura. Tura made the turn from Roosevelt Road to Columbus Drive as the race’s 2021 champion, stopping the clock in 2:06:12. Rupp, the 2017 Chicago Marathon champion, followed in 2:06:35, and Kiptanui hung on for third in 2:06:51. Japanese record holder, Kengo Suzuki (JPN), finished fourth in 2:08:50. Tamru finished fifth in 2:09:39, and local Chicago runner, Colin Mickow (USA) of the Second City Track Club, finished sixth in 2:13:31. “I just was determined to fight to the very end,” said Tura. “I was extremely concerned when they said the other day that it was going to be very hot, because I had not prepared for warm weather. There was a breeze, and the first half was not too fast, so that helped me and I was able to do well.” Behind the elite competition, Olympian Shalane Flanagan (USA) continued her #ProjectEclipse quest to run all six Abbott World Marathon Majors this fall under three hours. Flanagan carried her momentum from Berlin (2:38:32) and London (2:35:04) into Chicago, finishing well under three hours in 2:46:39. Flanagan returns to the roads tomorrow to compete in Boston. Wheelchair competition In the women’s elite wheelchair competition, Tatyana McFadden (USA) cemented her legacy in Chicago as the most decorated champion in the event’s history, winning her ninth crown while leaving the competition over a minute behind. Yen Hoang (USA) crushed her PR to finish second in 1:50:14, and Jenna Fesemyer (USA) took home third in 1:50:23, her first podium finish in six attempts in Chicago. “I ran my very first marathon in 2009 and it has led me to an amazing career,” said McFadden. “To be back and to get number nine is amazing. Chicago is my second home – I get the greatest support. The crowds cheering me along the way were keeping me going.” In the men’s elite wheelchair competition, Daniel Romanchuk (USA) pulled away from two-time Olympic gold medalist, Marcel Hug (SUI), on Roosevelt Road to race to his third consecutive victory in Chicago in 1:29:07. Hug finished second in 1:29:08, and Aaron Pike (USA) finished third in 1:29:28. This year marked Pike’s 12th Chicago Marathon and his first time finishing in the top three. Johnboy Smith (GBR) finished fourth in 1:29:37, and Rafael Botello Jiminez (ESP) finished fifth in 1:38:27. 2021 stands out as the first time four men broke 1:30 in the same race. “It is an amazing day out – nice and warm and dry,” remarked Romanchuk at the finish. “It’s a smaller field than usual, but, overall, it’s amazing to be back here racing.”

Thousands of cyclists from around South Africa celebrated the return of limited mass participation sporting events with the 43rd running of the Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday. As part of the events’ Covid-19 mitigation plans the race was reduced in size to a maximum of 18 000 entries and various Covid-19 protocols, including a ‘flow’ start and smaller start batches, were put in place to ensure the safety of all participants. Blessed with near-perfect weather, the traditional circuit around the Peninsula was clear and virtually windless and participants were encouraged to enjoy the event rather than race for time. With only prizes up for grabs in the elite races, most of the starters chose to take it easier and coffee shops along the route were busy as many participants stopped for a break. The 2021 Cycle Tour, which attracted 18 000 entries, was postponed from its traditional early March date to October as a result of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. “Today was a celebration,” Cycle Tour Director, David Bellairs said. “We were privileged to be the first mass participation event to take place since the lockdown restrictions were imposed and all our participants got into the spirit of the day by participating rather than racing.” The race was restricted to 18 000 entries and various Covid-19 protocols, including a ‘flow’ start, were used to ensure the safety of riders and organisers. “This event could not have happened if we had not had the buy-in of the riders so we are extremely grateful that the majority of riders embraced our Covid-19 measures,” said Bellairs. HOFFMAN MAKES HISTORY IN THE MEN’S RACE Local hero Nolan Hoffman became the second most successful men’s rider in Cape Town Cycle Tour history when he won his fourth title in a tactical 2 hours, 37 minutes, 12 seconds. The 36-year-old ENZA team rider – who won in 2014, 2015 and 2018 – delivered the perfect sprint after surviving the climbs up Chapman’s Peak and Suikerbossie and winning by over a bike length ahead of Christiaan Janse van Rensburg and Craig Boyes. “This is definitely the title that means the most. It has been a tough time for my family over the last 18 months and we have lost family members to Covid. I am just blessed to be healthy and be able to win,” Hoffman said. “I put on a lot of weight during the lockdown but I have worked really hard at getting into shape once we heard that the Cycle Tour was happening.” Hoffman was able to save his energy for the big climbs when ENZA teammate David Maree got into the only significant break of the day. Maree got clear with Alwyn Steenkamp (TEG Procycling) and Keanan Roodt just after the climb up Wynberg Hill. Through Misty Cliffs the escapees stretched out the lead to 1:19 before they were eventually swallowed up by the charging bunch up Chapman’s Peak. As the lead bunch approached Suikerbossie, World Tour rider Nic Dlamini (Assos-Qhubeka) was the first to attack as he attempted to burn off the sprinters. But the lead group eventually reformed over the final 15km into the finish and Hoffman – helped by guest teammate and mountain biking legend Christoph Sauser – got himself into the perfect position to deliver his trademark sprint. “I just told myself to relax and believe in my sprint. It was just a perfect day,” Hoffman said. Only Willie Engelbrecht has won more titles than Hoffman in the men’s race with five to his name. LE COURT DE BILLOT WINS SECOND WOMEN’S TITLE 2018 winner Kim Le Court De Billot took the title in the women’s race after a thrilling race over 78km that started in Fish Hoek. She clocked 2 hour 13 minutes 37 seconds. Le Court De Billot was part of a select group of six riders that managed to pull clear of the bunch up Chapman’s Peak and included SA champion and Hout Bay local Hayley Preen, top mountain biker Candice Lill, UK triathlon star Emma Pallant, Kelsey van Schoor and S’annara Grove. Pallant was the early aggressor while Preen put down the hammer up Suikerbossie in an attempt to break up the lead group. But, in the end, the group entered the final kilometres intact and it was up to Le Court De Billot and Preen to contest the sprint. Behind them Pallant and the rest got tangled up and Pallant crashed heavily within sight of the finish line. “I felt confident on the climbs, felt I was in the right place and my legs were good,” Le Court de Billot. “I tried to save my legs for the sprint because I confidence in that. I’m just glad I could pull it off for my team.” Sunday marked the 43rd edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Results: Men: 1 Nolan Hoffman (ENZA) 02:37:12 2 Christian Janse van Rensburg, same time 3 Craig Boyes, same time 4 Louis Visser, same time 5 Jaco Venter, same time Women: 1 Kim Le Court de Billot (Galileo Infinit SPOT), 02:13:17 2 Hayley Preen, same time 3 Candice Lill, same time 4 Kelsey van Schoor, same time (Customized Cycling Bioplus) 5 S’annara Grove, same time (Customized Cycling Bioplus)

Ben Tolliday took top honours by finishing the race in 04:00:59. He finished 7 minutes 23 secondes ahead of Bryan Mooney. Michael Vanacora (04:09:32) made notched third place. In the women’s race, Heather Schuh scored victory with a time of 04:45:29 . She finished une minute 25 secondes ahead of Lindsay Delorme. Rounding out the top three was Annette Rogers with a time of 04:55:06. Top 5 Men 1 Ben Tolliday 04:00:59 2 Bryan Mooney 04:08:22 3 Michael Vanacora 04:09:32 4 Kyle Marshall 04:22:34 5 Brad Radkoski 04:24:14 Top 5 Women 1 Heather Schuh 04:45:29 2 Lindsay Delorme 04:46:54 3 Annette Rogers 04:55:06 4 Kalletta Caldwell 04:56:08 5 Sarah Doneth 04:56:43 Complete results