Sports stars on their marks for marathon

SUNDAY’S Sanlam Cape Town Marathon looks set to more than justify its IAAF Gold Label status, with competitive racing and fast times from elite athletes from many parts of the planet – but also pay attention to runners further down the field, where the event has become a veritable melting pot of South African sporting heroes.

Household names will line up at the Green Point start to test themselves and their fitness over the 42.195km course through the Mother City.

Francois Pienaar and John Smit led South Africa to two Rugby World Cup triumphs in the past two decades, but on Sunday, together with a third Bok captain, Corné Krige, they will be pounding tarmac.

Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith will be calculating the number of kilometres to the finish, while Bafana Bafana legends Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish are determined to outrun their rivals from other sporting codes.

Former national netball captain Zanele Mdodana might find racing 42km a tougher assignment than shooting hoops, while Ryk Neethling could be a “fish out of water”.

Cape Town Marathon ambassador Pienaar launched the Captain’s Challenge initiative six months ago. The initiative provides the opportunity for leaders to raise awareness for a healthy lifestyle while raising money for charity. The Make a Difference Foundation, Unogwaja Challenge and Endurocad will benefit.

Cape Town Marathon’s second race ambassador, Elana van Zyl Meyer, a former Olympic medallist and multiple world record-holder, said the Captain’s Challenge could change lives.