News19 Jan 2008


Juwawo, Tjoka take Half Marathon wins in Tshwane

FacebookTwitterEmail

The men's podium in Tshwane, from left: Hendrick Ramaala, Wirimai Juwawo and Mabuthile Lebopo (© Mark Ouma)

Tshwane, South AfricaZimbabwe’s Wirimai Juwawo and Mamarolla Tjoka (Lesotho) emerged winners at the Nedbank Half Marathon race in Tshwane South Africa on Saturday.

The race marked the start of the Nedbank Matha Series, South Africa’s premier road running contests.  The event also attracted athletes from Britain, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Lesotho, Kenya, Mozambique, Netherlands, Swaziland, Tanzania, the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Men’s race

Athletes got off to a conservative start, before Juwawo, South Africans Hendrick Ramaala, Kanie Simons, Richard Mavuso, Lesotho’s Knoka Lebenya and Benedict Moeng forged ahead to cover the first 5km in 15:11 and 10km in 30:05.

Ramaala and Juwawo made their move after 10km and from then on the race was very much a duel between the two experienced runners. At 12km (36:33) and 15km (46:07) Juwawo would step up the pace and open a slight lead, only for Ramaala to respond and draw level.

The two ran shoulder to shoulder until the last kilometres where Juwawo threw down the gauntlet, building a small lead which he held on to before crossing the finish line in a modest 1:04:35, six seconds ahead of Ramaala. Lesotho’s former Nedbank Soweto Marathon Champion Mabuthile Lebopo (1:05:27) rallied in the last two kilometres to snatch third spot one second ahead of his compatriot Lebenya who had stayed in third place for the second half of the race.

“Early in the race I sensed that the others athlete where not that fit after the fun during the festive season.  Ramaala was my only threat as I know he has a good sprint finish. I got a bit nervous each time I opened a gap and Ramaala closed it. So I decided to give it my all in the last minute knowing he is a good sprint at the end of the race,” says Juwawo.

Ramaala was gracious in defeat. “Juwawo was the stronger athlete today. Each time I closed the gap I felt pain in my stomach. This is my first race since I came third at the New York Marathon. I am glad I ran three minutes per kilometre for most of the race. It means my preparations for the London marathon in April is progressing well,” Says Ramaala.

Third placed Lebopo is confident he will have a better race next time. “I started way behind the lead group as I was not seeded. So I lost a lot of ground overtaking the huge bunches of social runners before catching up with the leaders. I hope for a better race next time,” says Lebopo.

Women’s race

Zimbabwe’s Tabita Tsatsa and Mamarolla Tjoka established a commanding lead early in the women’s race. At 10km South Africa’s Charne Bosman took over the lead and looked to be on her way to claim victory. However she paid for her early break as she appeared to be struggling to maintain her lead at 19km.

That was the break Tjoka needed. She overtook Bosman and went onto win in 1:16:49. Bosman (1:17:13) was runner up ahead of Tsatsa (1:17:31).

“As the defending champions I expected a tougher race. When Bosman took the lead I was initially unfazed. However at 15 km I got a bit worried.  When I noticed she begun struggling I took my chance. I think she misjudged her pace,” says Tjoka.

“This is a good start to for the year. I hope to be back for the South Africa Marathon Championships and improve my personal best next month,” Tjoka revealed.

Click here for results

Mark Ouma for the IAAF

Pages related to this article
Disciplines
Loading...