Tanith Maxwell, South Africa’s leading marathon runner of recent years, finished seventh in Sunday’s 29th Reading half marathon and will return to Durban today to wrap up her preparation for the Virgin London Marathon on April 17.
Maxwell went through the 10km in 34 minutes 10 seconds and continued running with Britain’s Susan Partridge holding fourth and fifth position. The headwind on the return towards the finish not only dropped the temperature but caused her to fall off pace surrendering two positions to finish seventh in one hour 14 minutes 53 seconds.
“I’m disappointed not to have gone faster, but this is only 13 seconds slower than Bristol which I did before the Berlin marathon, and conditions today were tougher,” said the Boxer athlete.
Edith Chelimo won the ladies race in one hour eleven minutes 22 seconds, over two minutes clear of Hellen Kimutai who edged Partridge into third place in one hour 13 minutes and 47 seconds.
A final sprint by Simon Kasimili gave him victory in the mens race in one hour three minutes and eight seconds, one stride ahead of Edwin Kipyego, with Edwin Kipkorir third four seconds off the pace. The top five finishers were under 64 minutes.
The race is one of Britain’s top races attracting over 16000 runners many of whom use it as a tune up for the London Marathon.
Men 1 Simon Kasimili KEN 1:03:08, 2 Edwin Kipyego KEN1:03:09, 3 Edwin Kipkorir KEN 1:03:12, 4 Daniel Mukche KEN 1:03:30, 5 Muli Mualuko KEN1:03:31
Ladies: 1 Edith Chelimo KEN 1:11;22, 2 Hellen Kimutai KEN 1:13:45, 3 Susan Partridge GBR 1:13:47, 4 Helen Decker GBR 1:14:04, 5 Justina Heslop GBR 1:14:20, 6 Amy Whitehead GBR 1:14:48, 7 Tanith Maxwell RSA 1:14:53.