Hejana on a mission to show spurs

Luthando aims to win for province

MDANTSANE ultrarunning star Luthando Hejana is confident of ensuring the Legends Marathon ultra title stays in the Eastern Cape for the first time since the race was established in 2013.

The 28-year-old was the best placed runner from the Eastern Cape last year when finishing 18th in his maiden run, and was also first home for the Eastern Cape.

In fact, according to Hejana who was brimming with confidence yesterday, had it not been for cramps that attacked him halfway through last year’s race, a top 10 finish would have been easily achieved.

This year, Hejana’s target is to improve his finishing time from 04:34 to 04:05 which if the standards set in 2014 are anything to go by should be enough to see him clinch the number one spot.

Last year’s champ, Zimbabwean Marko Mambo’s finishing time was 04:07:05.

Mambo is back to defend his crown and the competition will get tougher with the likes of experienced roadrunner Ludwick Mamabolo also lining up for the R120 000 first prize.

Hejana is unfazed by competitors, saying they will have to do better than the time he has set for himself if they dream of reaching the finish-line before him.

The Born 2 Run club member was born in Mdantsane and started off athletics as a track and field runner at school.

He only started long-distance running in 2006 with cross-country. reliable coach who has been working hard to get me into great shape.”

Hejana’s eye is looking beyond the Legends Marathon.

He said: “Next up for me is the Two Oceans Marathon next year where I want to make the top 20 in my first participation but the bigger picture is to be the first Mdantsane native and East London resident to win that race.”

In the women’s section of the 68km ultra, Stephanie Smith will carry the hopes of Eastern Cape and is expected to improve from her fifth-place finish last year.

Smith said she had mixed feelings about the race as she was nervous and excited at the same time but was more diplomatic about her target.

“I am going for time. If other competitors beat my time so be it but I am not going to put pressure on myself by saying I am aiming for coming first,” she said.

A first place finish by Hejana and Smith would see their names etched in history books as the first East Cape runners to do so.

Whether or not this will happen is a dream that will be fulfilled or dashed tomorrow morning when the 68km-long run from Bhisho to East London takes centre-stage on the country’s athletics calendar. —