Lifetime ban sought for runner Sihle Mapukata after Cape Town Marathon incident
Renowned coach Nick Bester has called for a lifetime ban on Nedbank Running Club social member Sihle Mapukata after he controversially started ahead of the elite men’s field at the Cape Town Marathon, causing confusion and bringing disrepute to the club. Picture: screenshot/x.com/canvasofarunner
Image: screenshot/x.com/canvasofarunner
Sihle Mapukata, a social member of the Nedbank Running Club, has come under fire after he controversially started ahead of the elite men’s field at the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday.
In light of the incident, renowned coach Nick Bester has called for the runner to receive a lifetime suspension from the club.
Videos on social media immortalised the moment, when a clearly non-elite runner was seen sprinting ahead of the men’s field in the early stages of the race.
This is generally impossible in a race that has seeded batches, with the elites right at the front.
A social runner simply can’t manage the acceleration to first reach the elite group that are doing under 3 minutes per kilometre, never mind surge ahead.
Nedbank Running Club Cape Town Incident: Call for Interim Suspension and Life Ban for Sihle Mapukata
Bester, who is the National Manager of the Nedbank Running Clubs, sent a letter to Nedbank Running Club Cape Town on the matter.
“This incident caused a lot of confusion and also put the Nedbank Running Club as well as Nike in disrespect by the audience and spectators.
“His race number also reflects it’s not an Elite race number, but it was a batch race number who should have started way down the field.
“I would ask you to give him an interim suspension and urgently hold a hearing to understand if there is any mitigation for his actions which have brought the Nedbank Club into disrepute. Pending the results of this hearing, and assuming that there is no suitable mitigation, I would ask that Mr. Mapukata is suspended for life from NRC CT. I will also send this letter to all our Nedbank Running Clubs national and international not to allow Mr. Sihle Mapukata to become a member of a Nedbank Running Club in future.”