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Comrades medical tent hive of activity

Pietermaritzburg - The medical tent was a hive of activity at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, with at least two critical cases of hyperthermia being reported.  

The first happened earlier in the day and the runner was treated and taken to hospital.

Shortly before the gun was fired to signal the end of the race, another runner complained of chest pain. Medical officials confirmed that the person was experiencing cardiac problems and that his heart was beating too fast.

There was also a moment of concern when Comrades Marathon veteran and four-time champion Alan Robb was stretchered away upon completing his 42nd race, but it was later confirmed that he was up and about after being given a standard drip.

SA champions

Earlier in the day South Africa's Caroline Wostmann and Gift Kelehe were the toast of the town by winning the men's and women's events.

Wostmann, this year’s Two Oceans marathon champion, became the first South African winner since Rae Bisschoff in 1998. Wostmann absolutely blitzed the women’s field, finishing in a time of 6:12:20, about three minutes outside of Elena Nurgalieva’s up-run record in 2006.

Kelehe was a picture of relief and delight as he won his first Comrades Marathon in a time of 5:38:35. He had been identified as one of the pre-race favourites, having won three gold medals before Sunday.

He went one step further on Sunday, finishing seven minutes and 39 seconds ahead of second placed Ethiopian Mohammed Husien.

Third went to South Africa's Hatiwande Nyamande.

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