New details emerge as rogue Nedbank runner is a former Cape Town Marathon champion
FILE. Sihle Mapukata (not pictured here), it has emerged is a former Cape Town Marathon champion, as he faces calls for a lifetime ban from the Nedbank Running Club after controversially leading the men’s race despite not being in the elite category, sparking debate over his actions and their impact on the club’s reputation. Picture: RODGER BOSCH / AFP
Image: RODGER BOSCH / AFP
Following calls for Sihle Mapukata to be banned for life from his Nedbank Running Club membership, it has emerged that he is a former top runner.
Though 49-year-old Mapukata was not seeded in the elite category for the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, he somehow managed to lead the men’s race one minute into the event.
It turns out that Mapukata won the Cape Town Marathon back in 2003 and 2004, long before the race held the esteem it does now as it bids to become a World Marathon Major.
Mapukata now runs in the veteran 40-49 category, and while he could still have a shot at competing in his age category, it’s still puzzling to see how he was able to move through his starting batch before appearing at the front of his race.
Nick Bester Calls for Lifetime Ban on Sihle Mapukata After Controversial Incident
IOL has attempted to contact Mapukata to find out his version of the events, but he has not yet responded.
Still, Nick Bester, National Manager of the Nedbank Running Clubs, sent a letter to Nedbank Running Club Cape Town calling for Mapukata to receive a lifetime ban.
“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 that 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 the future.”