'I'm not 100 percent fit' - Jenet Mbhele parts ways with Xcel and is out of Two Oceans
Multiple Comrades Marathon gold medalist Jenet Mbhele has decided to part ways with Xcel Running Club in order to focus on personal matters. Mbhele produced an impressive performance in last year's Comrades as she clocked 6:16:54 to take eighth position overall. That performance followed a resounding debut of 6:27:13 during the 2023 edition of The Ultimate Human Race where she finished in tenth. By doing so, she became a first black woman to secure back to back Comrades gold medal since women were first allowed to compete back in 1975. The 30-year-old Mbhele, who joined Xcel three years ago from Umzikhulu Striders has taken a decision to rejoin her former club.
"Yes, It's true that I have decided to move back to Umzikhulu Striders. The reason was motivated by the personal matters that need my full attention. I thought it would be good to move away from Xcel until I'm in the right place," says Mbhele, who hails from Umzikhulu, south of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
"It would be unfair to run for a club that needs me to be competitive while I don't train enough. My schedule these days is very busy schedule which demands me to be fully focused. I can't end up wasting the club's money as they go all out to transport me to races outside the province. Overall, I'm very grateful for what the club has done for me during my stay with them. They helped me to become a better athlete in life."
The former SA Marathon Champion further confirmed that she won't take part in this year's Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon which is scheduled for April 5 in Cape Town. Last year, Mbhele made a memorable debut of 3:41:08 to finish fourth overall in the 'world's beautiful ultra marathon.'
"I'm not going to take part in the Two Oceans Marathon this year. It's the decision we took with the coach as I feel I'm not 100 percent fit to run. But I am going to participate in upcoming races later this year though," she told #TheTopRunner.
Xcel Running Club founder Sbu Cele confirmed the news and wished Mbhele all the best in her career. “Jenet served us with distinction, however this year she felt that she has finished business with her former Club, uMzimkhulu Striders as she believes that running in the uMzimkhulu Striders colours will uplift the name of her area (uMzimkhulu) and will inspire other local young athletes in the area of uMzimkhulu. As a Club that promotes the development of the sport in the rural areas, we support her idea.”
The club also announced the departure of Olympian Tebello Ramakongoana who finished in seventh place in 2024 Paris Olympics. Ramakongoana recently clocked a lightning fast 2:06:20 lifetime best time over marathon distance in Xiamen Marathon earlier this year.
Comentários