Champ chases hat-trick

Ntombi Mfunzi is planning a third straight victory when she defends her title in The Herald Rafi’s Builders Warehouse Friendly City Marathon to take place on Saturday.

The Nedbank Running Club athlete is confident she will improve on the winning time of three hours, 16 minutes and 24 seconds she achieved last year.

She recently returned from Kirkwood and is now based in Port Elizabeth, working at St Albans Prison and enjoying training with her Nedbank club mates.

“The Friendly City Marathon route, which starts from the Fountain Vineyard Church field behind Builders Warehouse, offers the perfect balance for my Two Oceans training as the first 21km is fairly flat and fast, with a more challenging and hilly second 21km,” Mfunzi said.

“All Two Oceans marathon runners are familiar with the challenge of Constantia Nek with tired legs after completing 42km.

“The Herald Friendly City Marathon is an important warm-up run for my preparation for the Two Oceans.”

Mfunzi has her sights set on finishing in the top five in the Two Oceans in Cape Town after ending eighth last year.

-The Herald Reporter