Kalmer blasts back from injury

On target for career record, SA athlete gradually falls off pace in first race back from calf injury.

n target for a new personal best until the 30km mark, Rene Kalmer was satisfied with her comeback marathon yesterday, despite fading in the closing stages.

Kalmer, returning from a calf injury, took sixth place in the Yokohama Women’s Marathon in 2:32:39.

She had hoped to improve on her 2:29:59 career record set in Yokohama two years ago but struggled to maintain her impressive early pace.

“I’m satisfied with my run,” Kalmer said. “Up to 30km I was on 2:28 pace and then I really battled over the last 7km.”

Having settled in the chasing group, she went through halfway in 1:13:48, well on target for personal best.

After a solitary effort in the closing stages of the race, however, Kalmer finished nearly seven minutes behind 36-year-old Russian Albina Mayorova, who won in 2:25:55.

Kalmer is the only South African woman to run under 2:33:00 for the last three years in succession.

“I was feeling very strong and in control, but then I found myself in no-mans land over the last 10km and kind of hit the wall.

“After the tough year, I’m satisfied with my time and am already looking forward to my next marathon.”

Kalmer, who struggled with injuries and illness this season, confirmed she would not race again this year after a troubled 2013 campaign.

After tearing her calf muscle at the Boston Marathon in April, where she finished 17th in 2:37:15, she made a gradual comeback over shorter distances, defending her national half-marathon title and finishing second in defence of her Spar Women’s Grand Prix crown.

She was eager to put her feet up for a short period before starting her build-up to next season.

“I’m looking forward to a nice holiday in Phuket now and then I’ll start planning for 2014.”