The Balwin Properties False Bay 50km unfolded like a battle against the elements, with runners slicing through wind and rain along the Cape coastline from Kleinmond to Gordon’s Bay on Saturday morning.
In a race where the weather clawed at every stride, Malawian-born Stephen George and UK-born Carla Molinaro emerged as the day’s standout survivors.
George, representing host club Strand Athletic Club, defended his title with a measured, resilient run, crossing the line at Gordon’s Bay Primary School in 3:18:24. His performance resembled a seasoned sailor holding course through a storm, steady and composed when the race threatened to unravel.
“It was cold and there were strong winds, but I managed to run easily,” George said after the finish.
His calm summary masked the reality of a demanding morning.
“It was difficult, but after 26km I was feeling okay. The weather was too much wind and cold.”
Behind him, Asisipho Josiah Matoman of RCS Gugulethu AC chased hard to claim second in 3:20:51, while Mthandazo Qhina from Impala Marathon Club completed the podium in 3:25:11.
If George ran like a man steering through rough seas, Molinaro attacked the course like a runner chasing sunlight through a storm. The Hollywood Athletic Club International athlete claimed the women’s title in 3:38:15, finishing ninth overall and outpacing a large portion of the men’s field.
“It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. That wind and that rain was a bit savage,” Molinaro said. “But the course is so beautiful that it kind of distracts you a little bit.”
The conditions forced her to abandon any obsession with the clock.
“It turned out to be worse than I expected. I wasn’t even looking at my pace. I was running on feel. The conditions didn’t lead to quick times today, but it was still a good race and fun out there.”
Her performance carried the rhythm of controlled aggression, balancing endurance with instinct as she powered through the shifting coastal weather.
Carla Johnson of Maverick AC secured second place in 3:43:12, while Nedbank Running Club’s Deanné Laubscher took third in 3:47:50.
For many, the race doubled as a stepping stone toward the Comrades Marathon, and Molinaro framed the day as a proving ground.
“I kept thinking Comrades is never going to be as bad as this. If we can do this, it will make us stronger for race day,” she said. “I’ll still do a couple more long runs, around three hours, then taper.”
As the storm clouds drifted beyond Gordon’s Bay, the 2026 edition of the False Bay 50km left behind a clear message. Champions are not only measured by time, but by how they respond when the road turns hostile and the wind refuses to yield.
