Lebopo recaptures Soweto marathon title

Lesotho’s Mabuthile Lebopo and Mamorallo Tjoka came from behind to emerge winners of the men’s and women’s races at the Nedbank Soweto Marathon in South Africa, today (5).

This was the first time since the inaugural race in 1991, that the annual event was contested on a course entirely confined to Soweto township.

MEN
 
Competing on a new course the men’s race started and ended at the Elkah Stadium. The runners set off cautiously. 1996 Olympic Marathon champion Josiah Thugwane along with Graham Malinga, Jabulani Khoza, Mech Muthuli were the South Africans who took turns at the head of a huge lead group which stayed together until past 5km.

Lesotho’s Vincent Seng broke away at 7km and opened up a gap of about 100m, something which he maintained for 20km. He paid the price for this effort as the now much smaller chasing group of Malinga, Khoza, Zimbabweans Moses Njoka and Mike Fokoroni and Lebopo eventually caught him.

At 30km Lebopo drew level with Khoza as the two ran shoulder to shoulder for a kilometre. Once Lebopo threw down the gauntlet at 32km, it was clear that the others would be vying for the minor positions. Lebopo went onto to recapture the title he won in 2004 in 2:19:10.

Khoza (2:20:34) was runner-up ahead of Malinga (2:20:49). Then came Zimbabweans Moses Njoka (2:21:42), debutant Gilbert Mutandiro (2:21:48), and Mike Fokoroni (2:22:09).

“Tsotang Maine (defending champion) and I came here to defend Lesotho’s pride. We started cautiously as we did not know this new route. Besides we both had abdominal pains in the first 15km. By 25km Maine gave up. This increased the pressure on me as my stomach pain faded I begun to increase my pace at 28km”.

“Once I got to 30km I noticed that the fast early pace had taken its toll on the race leaders and that is where I made my move. I felt strong and was comfortable in the last five kilometres. Next I want to break my personal best of 2:16:30 at the South Africa Championships next February,” Lebopo disclosed.

WOMEN

The women’s race mirrored what happened in the men’s event. South African Louisa Leballo took a commanding lead for the first 25km, but as she begun to fizzle, Mamorolla Tjoka surged to the lead.

The 21-year-old Tjoka accelerated and went onto win in 2:47:00. South Africa’s Gloria Baeba was a distant second in 2:52:11. Zimbabwean Margaret Mahohoma (2:55:16), Louisa Leballo (2:55:56), and Tessa Burrell (2:55:56) followed her home.

“I started conservatively because I did not know this new route. Once we went past Diepkloof especially ‘heart break hill’ at 14km I felt more comfortable. Previously we used to pass this section at 38km and it really was tough."

“Leballo was my only serious challenge as she had beaten me in shorter races this year. So I held back and when I noticed her struggling at 30km, I made my move and knew I would this time win. If they maintain this course next year I hope to come back and win the race in a faster time,” Tjoka declared.

10km

Elsewhere, South African Tshamano Setone won his last race as a junior clocking 29:23 in the men’s 10km. Returning from injury Zimbabwean George Majaji (29:27) finished second ahead of Kenyan Shadrack Ruto (29:30).

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Sharon Tavenga (33:26) won the women’s race with South Africans Rene Kalmer (33:52) and Lebogang Phalula (34:10) placing second and third respectively.

Mark Ouma for the IAAF

RESULTS

MARATHON

Men
1. Mabuthile Lebopo (Lesotho) 2:19:10
2. Jabuani Khoza (South Africa) 2:20:34
3. Graham Malinga (South Africa) 2:20:49
4. Moses Njodzi (Zimbabwe) 2:21:42
5. Gilbert Mutandiro (Zimbabwe) 2:21:48
6. Mike Fokoroni (Zimbabwe) 2:22:09
7. Sivuyile Ndwembeni (South Africa) 2:22:28
8. Morgan Sithole (Zimbabwe) 2:22:46

Women
1. Mamorallo Tjoka (Lesotho) 2:47:00
2. Gloria Baeba (South Africa) 2:52:11
3. Margaret Mahohoma (Zimbabwe) 2:55:16
4. Louisa Leballo (South Africa) 2:55:56
5. Tessa Burrell (South Africa) 2:55:56
6. Eunice Nhlapo (South Africa) 3:03:13
7. Jane Pooe (South Africa) 3:04:21
8. Joyce Kangono (South Africa) 3:05:12

10km

Men
1 Tshamao Setone (South Africa 29:23
2 George Majaji (Zimbabwe) 29:27
3 Shardrack Ruto (Kenya) 29.30

Women
1 Sharon Tavenga (Zimbabwe) 33:26
2 Rene Kalmer (South Africa) 33:52
3 Lebogang Phalula (South Africa) 34:10