SPEEDSTERS RULE IN TWO OCEANS HALF-MARATHON
SPEED trumped endurance in the half-marathon race at the Two Oceans in Cape Town on Saturday as Stephen Mokoka claimed victory in 1hr:04min.
Mokoka powered into the lead with 1.5km to go before fending off Elroy Gelant (1:04:04) and Joel Mmone (1:04:05). The trio are all track athletes who will line up against each other again next weekend in the 5 000m at the two-day SA championships in Stellenbosch.
Fifth in 1:04:20 was two-time champion Lusapho April, in his final preparations for the Boston Marathon, just 13 days away.
“They ’ ve got speed,” explained a relaxed April, who finished third in the New York Marathon in 2013. “’ Im happy –I ’ m where I want to be ahead of Boston.”
He believes the Two Oceans 21km race, with a winner ’ s cheque of R25 000, has attracted more top runners since he won it in 2010 and 2011.
Mokoka also boasts marathon credentials, having been a teammate of April ’ s in the 42km race at the 2012 Olympics in London, but this time he is focusing on the 10 000m.
He achieved one of two required 10 000m qualifying times in 2012, so he opted to compete in the 42km epic, which needed one qualifying time.
“At the 2011 world championships I was lapped in the 10 000m, and in 2013 I lost by 150m. I will see what happens at the world championships in Beijing this year, but if I keep improving, I will focus on the 10 000m for the Rio Olympics next year,” he said.
Women ’ s half-marathon winner Lebogang Phalula will also be in action at the national championships, competing in both the 800m and 1 500m, although she rates her world championship qualification chances higher in the longer race. Two Oceans ultramarathon victor Motlokoa Nkhabutlane from Lesotho said he intended dropping back to the standard marathon to focus on next year ’ s Olympics.
“I want to run the Olympics. I have the speed. If I focus on the Olympics I don ’ t think I will be back here next year to defend my crown,” said Nkhabutlane, who pocketed R250 000 for the win.