2009 Nedbank SA 21,1km Champs

Stephen Mokoka defended his title in the SA Nedbank Half Marathon Championships in Port Elizabeth utilizing the perfect conditions to double the prize money winning in 61:26 whilst Annerien Van Schalkwyk smashed her PB to win in 71:49.
After Pietermaritzburg-based Sibonela Duma led the race out at two minute 50 seconds for the first kilometer, a large group of over forty runners driven primarily by the experienced Hendrick Ramaala settled into a rhythm.Although there was a gradual degradation of numbers little changed as the leaders steamed past the kilometers hitting 5km in 14:26 and 10km 29:30.  On the long straight towards Uitenhage, Mokoka, Lusapho April, and fellow marathoner from the ASA Altitude training camp, tested the competition pulling a group of ten free from the field. By 18km it was still anyone’s race with Ramaala, Mokoka,  April and Zimbabwean Wirimai Juwawo shoulder to shoulder clocking sub 2:50 kilometers. Mokoka upped a gear with Juwawo and Western provinces Lindikhaya Mthangayi running well above himself, in the slipstream. Mokoka’s time was the first of a barrel-load of personal and seasonal bests produced on the flat single-lap course around the Motherwell township which is arguably the fastest in the country.  Unquestionably the performances benefited from the windless conditions and the large financial time incentives that were introduced in the final build up to the race. Mthangayi, out kicked the Zimbabwean Juwawo on the track for second place in 61:32 and a late surge by Lesotho’s Sechaba Bohosi secured fourth with Ramaala taking fifth overall.  Ramaala’s 61:43 is one of his fastest 21km of recent years and only just slower than his 61:30 half way time in this year’s London Marathon. Lusapho April finished seventh overall and third in the SA championships in 61:49, carving 35 seconds from his previous best, and showing good form in his preparation towards next month’s World Marathon Championships in Berlin.  In addition to his second SA title, and the prospect of a place in the team to the World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham, UK in October, Mokoka left with R50000 for his time and overall win. “It was very tough out there. The guys are very fit. I never expected so many to be with us at 15km” said the 24 year old representing Gauteng North. “It was a struggle, but my training had been going very well. After 19km I thought I could take it and made my move. I’m very happy”   The talented trio of Annerien Van Schalkwyk, Rene Kalmer and Zimbabwean Tabitha Tsatsa ran the first 17km together with Van Schalkwyk initiating the drive for home on the final three kilometer descent to the finish. Kalmer, who arrived back from racing on the USA road circuit last Sunday, was unable to maintain the surge pace allowing Van Schalkwyk to open a telling lead to cross the line for the SA title in 71:49. Tsatsa tried to hang onto Van Schalkwyk’s shadow as they entered the track but had to settle for second in 72:16. In addition to being the only women to benefit from the Nedbank and ASA time incentive of R8000 for breaking 72 minutes, Van Schalkwyk carved an impressive 4:11 from her personal best. “I was troubled with my ITB (knee) from around half way. It was a great run by Annerien” said Rene Kalmer, who hopes that the performances will be good enough to have a women’s team compete in the World Championships in October. “This is my second fastest time ever, so I’m pleased especially after arriving back from the States so close to the race” Poppy Mlambo finished fifth behind Lesotho’s Mammorolla Tjoka in 74:41, recording another personal best, and taking the Bronze in the SA Championship. Mlambo was followed by her training partner at the Potchefstroom training camp, Tanith Maxwell who reduced her 21km time by 1:00, whichmakes her look well for her performance in the Berlin World Marathon Championships where she is South Africa’s sole women representative in the Marathon. Although  Van Schalkwyk took the individual honors, Kalmer led the Central Gauteng quartet to the team award in four hours 59 minutes 55 seconds only two minutes 51 seconds ahead of the Gauteng North team, with Western Province third. The men’s team prizes duplicated the provinces and order with Xolisa Tyali (5th), Coolboy Ngamole (8th), Jeffrey Gwebu (10th) and Sibusiso Nzima (13th) giving Central Gauteng top position in four hours nine minutes and three seconds.  Deeper results will be posted on the results section of this website….