Mtolo backs a foreign winner

SOUTH AFRICAN road running legend Willie Mtolo believes the foreign brigade will reclaim the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon title this weekend. But the former New York Marathon champion, who has also won the Two Oceans Ultra, does not foresee anyone improving on Stephen Mokoka’s course record.

Africa’s sole IAAF Gold Label Status Marathon takes place this Sunday and some top class east African runners will descend on the Mother City intent on dominating the popular race. And Mtolo expects them to do just that.

“I do not see a South African winning this race. The Kenyans and Ethiopians are likely to dominate.”

Mtolo backs his assertion that the east Africans will do better because: “They are more hungrier than us. One hundred athletes in Kenya can run sub a 2:10 marathon while here at home only two or three are able to do that.”

And he knows from experience how the Kenyans and Ethiopians love to ‘hunt in groups’, a ploy he believes will work in their favour against the individualistic locals.

“The Kenyans train in groups in camps even if they go to different races in different countries. That works wonders for them. And if they are in one race, they assist each other along the way. Here our athletes are training as a lone ranger and sometimes the competition is such that runners even becomes bad rivals.”

With Mokoka, last year’s winner in a course record time of 2:08:31, sitting this weekend’s race out in preparation for the World Championships in Doha, Mtolo agrees with the general notion that Elroy Gelant is South Africa’s best bet for glory.

“Elroy is in good shape I saw him at an event recently but chances for him to win are very limited. Maybe he can get into the top five. But because he will be fighting a lone battle against competitors who will be running as a group, it will be difficult for him to win.”

While he picks them for glory, Mtolo says the east Africans will not break Mokoka’s record.

“I reckon the fastest man will run 2:09 on the day. Unlike overseas, we have tough courses here in South Africa. We have lots of hills. And in Cape Town it sometimes gets windy which makes it hard for athletes to achieve their desired results. Even our athletes struggle here as they do their best runs overseas.”

He predicted that not many South Africans will be able to run the 2020 Olympics qualifying time set by Athletics South Africa.

“It will be one or two athletes who will be able to run that 2:11.”

According to Mtolo, the South African women will struggle.

“I do not see our women winning the race or even making it into the top 10. Just like in the men’s race, it will be the East Africans.”