From there, Buys put in a strong surge after a mistake behind him, and got that decisive gap on the chasing field but had 30km to negotiate at the front of the race.
He kept his head down from there and powered to a memorable victory ahead of Marc Pritzen in second and Tristan Nortje in third.
“This is a title that has eluded me forever and to finally win it is very satisfying,” Buys said.
“I’ve felt really good over the last month and I think the race was at the perfect time because if it was any later I don’t think I would have been as strong.
“I thought the distance would get me in the end but I just had enough in the tank.”
It was an unfortunate day for defending champion Matt Beers who had to settle for fourth following a navigation issue that saw him fall off the pace and finish just off the podium.
The women’s race was another exciting clash to a point before the unrivalled Symbtech ZA’s Wakefield got herself in the lead and never looked back.
Despite what appeared to be a dominant victory, Wakefield was haunted by mechanical issues throughout the race.
“I’m still trying to process this because fifteen kilometres in my shifter stopped working so I didn’t have gears,” Wakefield said.
“I had to fix that so lost about six or seven minutes and had to fight back from there.
“I then lost my gears again so had to get a new shifter put in in the tech zone so I thought from there that I had lost the race.”
It was a strong fight back from Wakefield who eventually got herself back to the front and puts this win down to pure determination.
“I have wanted this title for so many years so the determination as well as the preparation got me over the line. I’ve been working so hard with my coach and put absolutely everything into my training.
“That along with just keeping calm and putting my head down because I wanted this title so much gave me the strength in the end.”
Efficient Insure Infinity Sam Saunders came home in second in the women’s race with a comfortable gap back to team mate Theresa Ralph in third.
In the 60km Marathon, the Junior Men’s race saw Franjo Hattingh claim the national crown while Omar Wilson won the Youth Men’s title.
The Youth Women’s title went to Carla Janse van Vuuren while the Junior Women’s crown was won by Riley Smith.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
85km Marathon
Overall
1. Phil Buys 3:45:42
2. Marc Pritzen 3:46:55
3. Tristan Nortje 3:47:01
4. Matt Beers 3:48:19
5. Marco Joubert 3:48:31
6. Wessel Botha 3:50:07
7. Gert Heyns 3:50:08
8. Arno du Toit 3:52:52
9. Johan Fourie de Villiers 3:55:33
10. Keagan Bontekoning 3:57:00
Women
1. Amy Wakefield 4:49:47
2. Samantha Saunders 5:00:20
3. Theresa Ralph 5:03:32
4. Yolande de Villiers 5:10:46
5. Janice Venter 5:27:49
60km Marathon
Junior Men
1. Franjo Hattingh 2:50:58
2. Jordan Boschoff 2:534:45
3. Justin Swanepoel 2:55:33
Youth Men
1. Omar Wilson 2:51:53
2. Jean-Jacques Koekemoer 3:01:37
3. Miles Liebenberg 3:04:08
40km Marathon
Junior Women
1. Riley Smith 2:31:20
2. Tyler Jacobs 2:32:45
3. Kayleigh Stevenson 2:47:53
Youth Women
1. Carla Jansen van Vuuren 2:27:22
2. Jodi Mackinnon 2:32:38
3. Errin Mackridge 2:35:28