Hollywood Athletics Club elite runner Mathews Leeto will lead the club’s charge with at the Durban International Marathon on Sunday, 4 May. Thathe Msimango previews.
The event, which starts in Isipingo Prospection, features a flat, fast, and welcoming course that finishes at People’s Park in Durban.
Leeto returns to the race as one of the favourites. He delivered a phenomenal personal best of 2:09:47 in last year’s edition, finishing second overall. It was a stellar performance for the Hollywood duo, as both Leeto and teammate Stephen Mokoka ran sub-2:10. Leeto stunned the athletics community by shaving of more than five minutes off his previous best of 2:15:35, which he had set at the 2023 Cape Town Marathon.
The 34-year-old Leeto, known for his speed, holds a personal best of 28:23 over 10km. This year, he’s aiming to go one better and claim the R75,000 winner’s cheque. In preparation this weekend’s race, he competed in the Two Oceans Half Marathon, clocking a respectable 1:07:50 to finish 11th overall.
Another Hollywood AC athlete looking to improve on his past performance is Reghen Magwai. Last year, he narrowly missed out on a top 10 finish, placing 11th with a personal best of 2:14:29 an impressive improvement from his 2:19:06 in the 2023 race. Magwai, who boasts a 10km PB of 28:29 from the 2021 Absa Durban 10km, is already showing strong form this season. He won the TRACN4 Elands Half Marathon in Mpumalanga in 1:03:34 and finished 11th at the recent Absa Gqeberha 10km in 29:08.
In the women’s race, veteran Rutendo Nyahora will be making her debut at the Durban International Marathon. The 36-year-old Zimbabwean has been in excellent form this season, winning the Kudus 15km, George Claassen Memorial Race, and Wonderpark Akasia Road Race. Nyahora is aiming to better her marathon PB of 2:32:00. She recently finished 10th at the Vienna City Marathon in 2:41:44.
Hollywood Athletics Club manager Manfred Seidler is optimistic about the athletes’ chances.
“Rutendo, Reghen, and Mathews have all set clear targets for this race. Mathews ran 2:09 here last year, and he’s aiming for 2:08 this time. He had some stomach issues last year, which seem to be resolved now. His Two Oceans Half was a test to gauge his current form. Reghen is targeting 2:12, and Rutendo will be aiming to match or better her 2:32,” said Seidler.
Seidler also noted changes to the course route, which may make the race even faster.
“The Durban International Marathon has a reputation for fast times and exciting battles. I’m pleased they’ve moved the route off the promenade and onto the road. I believe we’ll see some strong performances this year.”
In addition to their elite contenders, Hollywood Athletics Club will also be well represented in the social category, with over 600 runners confirmed to participate.
