Race no sweat for star athlete
April sails to victory in City of Champions
INTERNATIONAL star Lusapho April hardly broke a sweat as he eased to victory in the City of Champions Youth Challenge 10km road race in Zwide, Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.
Uitenhage-born April clocked a time of 29 minutes and 57 seconds at the inaugural race, which finished at Dan Qeqe Stadium.
The 33-year-old wasted no time in saying he would be back to defend his title next year – “if I am in the country”.
He said: “I know there are plans we might be going somewhere else to prepare for [the Olympic Games in] Brazil.
“I am happy with my finishing time but I am not in the shape that I want to be in.
“In three weeks’ time, I will be flying off to the US to take part in a 10km. I am hoping to finish the race at about 28 minutes flat.”
But April said the weekend race was not competitive enough. “It was like a time trial. “I had spoken with my coach before the race and she told me to run hard from the word go. I did exactly that.”
The two-time Two Oceans Half Marathon winner said the race was a build-up as part of his preparations for the AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.
“I just wanted to test myself so that I can fix what I think needs fixing. It will my first time doing a 10km abroad.
“It will be a team effort as there are three guys from Africa, who will be representing the continent.
He applauded Saturday’s event: “This is an awesome initiative. I hope it will grow and become a big event where we can get at least 5 000 participates.”
Meanwhile, Nedbank Running Club’s Ntombesintu Mfunzi clocked in first for the women with a time of 36 minutes and 51 seconds.
The Correctional Service employee enjoyed the race.
“For a change we were running in ekasi [the location].
“It was very motivational for me because I knew that neighbourhood people were watching us and that would perhaps interest them in taking part next year.
“The course was tough but because of the support I received, the atmosphere made it easy.
“I did not focus much on the toughness – I just enjoyed my race,” Mfunzi said.
She was surprised by the number of runners as it was the first staging of the event.
“I was impressed with the number of people who came out and decided to be part of this race.
“I hope that it will continue next year,” she said.
The 33-year-old long-distance runner says she is eyeing the Jumbo Half Marathon on July 25.
The chairman of Ikamva Athletics Club and the City of Champion race organiser, Michael Mbambani, said officials were happy with the turnout.
“We have got close to or exceeded the 700 athletes mark because we had more than 250 runners in the 10 km and had more than 400 runners in the 5km race.
“I can confirm that we have signed a three-year deal for the City of Champions.”
ý See the full results of the event on Page 17