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
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.
