Mokoka left to pick up pieces
SA STAR SO DISAPPOINTED
Aiming to take his marathon career to the next level, Stephen Mokoka was dealt a shattering blow as he slammed into a “wall” yesterday on his World Marathon Majors debut.
Already an experienced 42km runner, Mokoka had hoped to make a statement at the Tokyo Marathon, in his maiden attempt at a major city race.
Instead, he was left to pick up the pieces after one of the most disappointing international performances of his career.
Mokoka was on target in the early stages to challenge the long-standing SA record of 2:06:33, after settling into a large chase group which trailed a world-class lead pack.
He was already losing ground, however, by the time he reached the midway point in 1:04:24, and he faded in the second half to settle for 36th position in 2:16:53.
“I hit a wall, so I detached myself from the second group, but as the race wore on, the fatigue continued to build and I started to lose time,” Mokoka said.
It was his ninth attempt at the classic distance, and only the second time he was unable to dip under 2:11:00.
Despite crossing the line more than nine minutes outside his personal best, however, Mokoka was pleased to have gritted his teeth and stuck it out to the end. “I’m glad I finished,” he said. “It’s not easy in a marathon to hit a wall before 30km. You will hurt all the way.”
Veteran Ernst van Dyk, the only other SA athlete in the elite line-up, finished ninth in the men’s wheelchair race.
Meanwhile, in the battle up front for the able-bodied title, Wilson Kipsang made a brave attempt at the marathon world record of 2:02:57 held by fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto.
Though he missed the mark by 61 seconds, his time of 2:03:58 was the fastest marathon ever run in Japan.
Another Kenyan, Sarah Chepchirchir, won the elite women’s race in 2:19:47.