Sibusiso Madikizela after winning the Timbercity Red Hill Marathon.
Sibusiso Madikizela proved again he's one of Cape Town’s premier runners, crossing the finish line first at this year’s Timbercity Red Hill Marathon in Fish Hoek.
A defending champion, Madikizela has now achieved this feat three times at this particular marathon.
His victory adds to what has been a stellar week for the Gugulethu Athletics Club runner, who also secured second place in last week's Bay to Bay 30km race.
The Red Hill Marathon, hosted by the Fish Hoek Athletics Club, is one of the standout events on the Western Cape’s road-running calendar, with a unique twist.
While it’s a full marathon, it also features a 36km option where during the race, should a marathon runner feel like it, they can opt to avoid a 6km loop and transfer to the shorter distance.
After crossing the finish line, an excited Madikizela shared his joy about defending his title while also improving on his winning times.
“I am very excited for the win,” he said.
“This is my third time winning and it shows progression. The first time I ran in 2:36, last year it was 2:34 and this year I ran 2:32.”
Madikizela also emphasised the importance of the race as a key part of his preparation for the upcoming Two Oceans Ultra Marathon.
“It’s a tough course and good preparation for Two Oceans Ultra, it’s a great place to be” he said.
Prior to the event, Russel Mackintosh, chairman of Fish Hoek Athletics Club, spoke about the growing anticipation surrounding the race.
“The Timbercity Red Hill Marathon and 36km Classic have become two of the most anticipated events on the Western Province road-running calendar, especially as qualifiers for Two Oceans and Comrades. This year, we’ve seen an increase in entries, and we’re so excited to make this year’s race fun, challenging, and memorable for all involved,” he said.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Cape Peninsula, the marathon is not just about the competition, it's a celebration of community spirit and personal achievement.
The marathon, with its iconic Red Hill climb, a challenging stretch of the course, draws runners not only from the Cape Metropole but from across the country.