Thato Kabeli won the RMB Ultra Trail Drakensberg (RMB UTD) 100-miler.
Image: Camryn Steenkamp
Thato Kabeli won the RMB Ultra Trail Drakensberg (RMB UTD) 100-miler at a canter in his first attempt at the distance on Saturday afternoon, to rapturous applause from the enthusiastic, bell-ringing crowd at the race village at the Sani Pass Premier Hotel.
The 42-year-old completed the 160.5km distance in an impressive 24 hours, 24 minutes and 57 seconds, nearly two hours ahead of runner-up Matt Dove (26:10:15). Popular Zimbabwean runner Admire Muzopambwa completed the podium with a time of 27:21:25.
Kabeli, who works as a security guard, added a cool R20,000 to his bank balance for his efforts and could not hide his excitement at having made a winning debut at the longer distance. Last year, Kabeli won the 100km and was delighted to have now added the marquee event of the popular three-day, multi-distance trail running festival to his collection.
“I’m super excited to win this at the first time of trying. I knew I could win because we prepared well for the race. All I had to do was follow the race plan the coach had for me. I knew that the race of the 100-miler starts at 100km, so I knew I had to bide my time and was not worried when Admire was in the lead. But I went ahead at 75km and I never looked back.”
Popular Zimbabwean runner Admire Muzopambwa completed the podium.
Image: Camryn Steenkamp
He admitted, though, that the race was rough, although he made it seem as though he’d had the equivalent of a Sunday stroll in the park when he sauntered to the finish – high-fiving the crowds lined up there in a guard of honour formation.
Kabeli stopped just before the finish line and saluted the onlookers police-style before letting out a scream of satisfaction, but no doubt more relief at having conquered a monster he’d hitherto never come across.
Muzopambwa – a winner of the 62km event last year – had led the race at the initial aid station just short of the 30km mark, but encountered some problems with his support team as he scolded them for not providing him with all his supplies. Late in the night, members of his team were seen scurrying at the finish line asking runners who’d just finished their 35km race for running poles to lend to their athletes.
Yet as he completed his race, the Zimbabwean was beaming – his smile wide enough to light up a small village in Harare – delighted at having made the podium. His popularity with the trail running community was evident from the cheers he received as he made a lap of honour before taking the microphone from the announcer and thanking all those who’d supported him.
He was rewarded with a R5,000 cheque for his efforts while runner-up Dove banked double that amount. Apart from the 100-miler, the RMB UTD event also includes 100km, 62km, 35km, 25km, and 14km races over the weekend.