EAST AFRICANS IN FOR ANOTHER SURPRISE? Gelant can set the pace for a record
THE cloudburst predicted to hit the Mother City today will likely give way to perfect conditions on Sunday for the Cape Town Marathon, but the fleet-footed African athletes are promising to kick up a storm of their own. Up to 20 000 runners from 70 countries will line up this weekend for the 12km and 22km trail races tomorrow, and the 10km and marathon races on Sunday A stellar field has been assembled for the marathon and a big talking point among the leading contenders is the introduction of pacemakers for the first time in the race.
South African 5000m Olympian Elroy Gelant is set to take the field through 30km, to avoid last year’s disappointingly slow first half. “It will certainly make a substantial difference,” statistician Riel Hauman said yesterday “I cannot think of another occasion when there have been pacers in a South African road race, but all the major overseas marathons have them these days. “If it were up to me, I would be asking Gelant to take the field through 30km in a sub2:09 marathon pace, which would give the chasers a strong chance of improving the fastest marathon time on a certified course in South Africa David Tsebe’s 2:09:50, set in 1990.”
Gelant will be joined by Henry Kiplagat of Kenya, whose 28:25 personal best over 10km and his 61minute half marathon should ensure a positive contribution. Former world half marathon record holder and race ambassador Elana Meyer is enthusiastic about Sunday’s potential for fast times. “We have taken out many of the turns which slowed runners in over the final stages of the race last year and have introduced financial incentives to further encourage those athletes to give of their best,” she said. “R15 000 will be awarded to any athlete running faster than the IAAF gold label standard (2:10 for men and 2:28 for women) while R10 000 will be on offer to South African athletes achieving IAAF bronze label standard (2:16 for men and 2:38 for women).”
Last year, South African runners surprised their favoured East African counterparts. Capetonian Lungile Gongqa and Gauteng’s Michael Mazibuko joined winner Shadrack Kemboi of Kenya on the podium. Gongqa returns after a disappointing Olympic marathon, while the talented Thabiso Moeng and Xolisa Tyali, both from Gauteng, seek PBs. But they will have their work cut out for them. Kemboi is focused on retaining his title as well as dipping below 2:10, while Team Ethiopia will be tough to stop. Teferi Girma and Kaleb Basore have run the Cape marathon faster than 2:10, while.compatriot Asefa Negewo won the OR Tambo Marathon earlier this year in 2:11:16. Also, Sintayehu Yinesu and Ketema Negasa have the form to contest the latter stages of the race. Tanzanian Dickson Marwa and Ugandan Alex Chasakit are also strong top five candidates, while Ukrainian veteran Sergii Lepid could also surprise the Africans. The women’s competition lacks similar depth, but Ethiopians Biruk Tilahun and Megertu Geletu have run marathons in under 2:30 and will be determined to do so again. Kenyan Jane Kiptoo will be looking to follow.compatriot Isabella Ochichi’s lead from 2015 Ochichi won the Cape marathon in a record 2:30:20. Capetonians Tanith Maxwell and Zintle Xiniwe and Johannesburg’s Keneilwe Sesing carry South Africa’s hopes for a podium finish. The marathon gets underway at 7am on Sunday from Beach Road in Granger Bay.