Nedbank Johannesburg marathon boasts top Local and International Athletes
The lure of a quick R60,000 for the first runner across the line in Sunday's Nedbank Johannesburg Marathon has had the desired effect and once again the Africa's finest will be towing the line at 6h00 outside the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.
Many of the local lads will be using the race as a tough conditioner for the upcoming Two Oceans but when the golden carrot is dangled; all thoughts of an easy paced run generally go out the window. A major victory for SA at the Nedbank Johannesburg Marathon has not found its way onto home soil for some time and our country's finest are smarting at being called "softies" and the like of Nedbank's Joseph Mphiti (4th 2008), Mathews Nkona (3rd 2007), Vincent Seng (5th 2006) and Augustine Manamela would want to change this perception.
North of the border will be well represented again by Marco Mambo (Zimbabwe) who has a hat trick of wins in the Two Oceans and country mate Elijah Mutandiro who boast impressive credentials with two victories in the Nedbank Soweto Marathon, a second in the hot and humid Hong Kong Marathon and just to show that he has the leg speed, a victory in one of the country's most hotly contested half marathon, the Two Oceans Half.
The Toyota club has uncovered a gold mine of talent in the mountains of Lesotho, winner of the 2007 Soweto Marathon Tebogo Sello must line up as one of the favourites with last year's Soweto winner Moeketsi Mosuhli also expected to be tough to beat in defense of his title.
It has been proven on many occasions and Sunday's race should be no different that since the retirement of Elana Meyer the South African women's field has not been able to compare to the foreigners. Ethiopia's, Abebe Tola lines up as the favourite, with a personal best of 2:29 in the 2000 Amsterdam Marathon to her credit, she would be tough to beat if she is in shape.
Zimbabwe's, Sharon Thavenga won last year's Cape Town Marathon as well as a number of shorter regional races, so her speed will not be wanting. Her country women Samukaliso Moyo lines up as defending campion and based on her list of victories in a string of shorter local races and she will not relinquish her title easily. The same can be said about Muchaneta Gwata (10 th in Soweto) and Chiyedza Chokore (5th in Soweto).
Entries will be accepted for both the marathon and the 10km until Saturday, 21 March. The fax entries can be faxed to the ASA office at 011 442 3091 whilst entries can also be dropped at the ASA Offices in Houghton, CGA offices in Germiston Stadium and AGN at Pilditch Stadium.
