Watanabe and Wheeler Win the Wheelchair Invitational at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Sho Watanabe and Michelle Wheeler added international flare to the African extravaganza by winning the Wheelchair Invitational at the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. The Japanese and American were each joined on the podium by a compatriot; on Sunday, 20 October. It was Geert Schipper and Noemi Alphonse who proved the winners’ fiercest competition though. 

In the men’s race Watanabe went on an early offensive, but the defending champion – Schipper – was unwilling to let his rival out of his sights. “It was an exciting race,” Schipper emphasised. “This might only have been my sixth marathon but it was certainly the most intense one I’ve raced.”

Watanabe held the advantage every time the course went downhill but the Dutch triathlete was able to reel his Japanese rival in on the climbs. Despite each gaining slight advantages, at various moments, throughout the 42km course they entered the final kilometre neck-and-neck. Watanabe was the first to accelerate into a sprint and when Schipper was unable to bridge back to the slipstream Watanabe’s wheel the race was won.

“I wanted to escape by myself today,” Watanabe stated. “But Geert [Schipper] was really strong. I got away a few times and Geert led a few times too. So, in the end I’m really happy to take the win.” 

Watanabe’s winning time was 1 hour, 37 minutes, and 33 seconds. Schipper crossed the line less than a second later. The ultra-experienced Kota Hokinoue completed the podium places, after a race he dubbed the windiest he has ever competed in during his 23 year career. 

“It’s an honour to share the podium with my mentor [Kota Hokinoue],” Watanabe smiled. “He brought me into the sport and he is a legend of wheelchair racing.” 

The women’s race saw Wheeler and Alphonse going head-to-head through the first 35 kilometres. “We worked really well together,” Alphonse said. “We even managed to talk to each other during the race and Michelle [Wheeler] helped me a lot.” Entering the finale Wheeler upped her pace and distanced the Mauritian. 

“The last 6 miles were the hardest miles of my life,” Wheeler laughed. “The wind was coming from all angles. But I had prepared for a close and windy race. Towards the end, in the headwind, I didn’t know where Noemi [Alphonse] was and I expected to see her right behind me again.” 

That was not the case however as Wheeler’s eventual margin of victory was a comfortable 2 minutes and 34 seconds. Alphonse, who had only switched from 100 metre to marathon training after the Paris Paralympic Games, was second. 22-year-old American, Linden Williamson completed the podium places. 

2024 Wheelchair Invitational at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Results 

Men’s Wheelchair Invitational Results 

1. Sho Watanabe (1:37:33)

2. Geert Schipper (1:37:33 | ST)

3. Kota Hokinoue (1:46:18 | + 8:46)

Women’s Wheelchair Invitational Results 

1. Michelle Wheeler (2:03:22)                    

2. Noemi Alphonse (2:05:55 | +2:34)

3. Linden Williamson (2:14:59 | +11:38)

For more information, please visit www.capetownmarathon.com or click here to view the full results from the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.