Zithulele Sinqe

Zithulele Sinqe (9 June 1963 – 22 December 2011^[1]) was a South African long distance runner.

Biography

He was born in Mthatha.^[2] In the 1980s, and despite restrictions under Apartheid, Sinqe emerged as one of the leading marathon and half-marathon athletes in the world.^[3] His two greatest races were the 1986 South African marathon championships, where he won in 2:08:04 in a titanic struggle with Willie Mtolo, who was second in 2:08:15.^[4] and his even closer contest over the half marathon with Matthews Temane in July 1987 in East London. Both men were credited with the same time of 60:11 but Temane was adjudged to have just defeated Sinqe.^[5]

In addition to the 1986 South African marathon championships, Sinqe also won the 1987 edition before Willie Mtolo won on two occasions.^[6] He competed at the 1992 Olympic marathon without finishing the race.^[2] 2:08:04 was also his lifetime best result. In the half marathon he achieved 1:00:11 hours in 1987,^[2][7] which was the world's best time that year, jointly with compatriot Matthews Temane.^[8] In his later years Sinqe also turned his attention to the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon (56km) which he won in 1996 and 1997 as well as coming 2nd in 1998.^[9]

References