Ngamole, Mabuza eager to lead local charge

Ngamole, 36, has finished on the podium at the SA Marathon Championships for the last four years in succession, and he said this week he was ready to tackle an expected charge from a strong foreign contingent. “The race is inland so I’ve had to adjust my training and increase my mileage,” he said.

“I’m not sure about the course so I’ve prepared for a tough race, and I’m ready.” Aside from Ngamole, the local contingent in the men’s race will be led by Xolisa Tyali, who was second on his debut over 42km in the inaugural Gauteng Marathon last year.

The foreign athletes in the field include Kenyan Shadrack Kemboi, who broke the Soweto Marathon record when he clocked 2:16:28 in November, and Lebenya Nkoka of Lesotho, a former Soweto Marathon winner. Meanwhile, in the women’s event, Mpho Mabuza was cautious in her prediction as she looked to lead the local charge.

Mabuza, 33, set her personal best of 2:43:29 when she secured the silver medal at the SA Marathon Championships in George last year. “I’ve done my usual training and it’s gone well,” Mabuza said.

“I can’t predict the time I’ll run because it’s the first time I’m running the Gauteng Marathon. “I don’t know the course, but I’ll be happy if I run under 2:50 and finish in the top five.” Ethiopians Yeshimebet Tadesse Bifa and Biru Meseret Mengistu, who have both dipped under 2:31, are likely to set the pace in the women’s race this weekend.

Zimbabwean record holder Tabitha Tsatsa and former Commonwealth Games 5,000m bronze medallist Samukeliso Moyo, another Zimbabwean, are also in the field.

– Sapa