Hendrick Ramaala speaking with reporters after his victory in the Nedbank 20Km (© Mark Ouma)
South Africans Hendrick Ramaala and Louisa Leballo each emerged the winners at the keenly contested Nedbank 20Km* road race in Pretoria on Saturday (01).
The narrow exit route out of the Pilditch Stadium at the start of the race created confusion as elite athletes had to worked their way through the field to the front in the first three kilometers.
Despite the confusion the leading group of South Africans Enos Matalane, George Mofokeng, Ricard Mavuso, Kenyan Kipruto Rotich Zimbabweans Cuthbert Nyasango, Mike Ngasete, and Abel Chimokoko set a strong pace over the undulating course.
Taking turns leading, Ngasete, Nyasango, and Mofokeng reached 10Km in 30:35 and 15Km at 45:25. Then first Mofokeng and later Nyasete fell back as Nyasango surged ahead to open a commanding lead at 17Km.
Ramaala accelerated and caught up with Nyasango. A spirited sprint in the last 200m saw Ramaala edge Nyasango at the finish with both athletes given an identical time of 56 minutes 52 seconds. Matalane (57:34) snatched the third spot at the finish from Ngasete (57:37).
“This was a tough race right from the start. I have a lot of respect for Nyasango as he is an aggressive runner. With athletes from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Kenyans and Ethiopians regularly compete here, we are having a run for our money, It's good for the series and internationals competition in Africa,” says Ramaala.
He continued: “This has been a good build up to the London Marathon (on 23 April). My experience of the last two New York City Marathons convinces me that I have what it takes to challenge the best in the world in London."
“I have no illusion about the level of competition to expect in London. Some of my opponents ran pretty fast at the recent Lisbon Half Marathon so I expect a tough race," Ramaala admits.
Earlier on Rodica Moroianu (France) seemed to have matters under control in the women’s race from the third kilometre mark. A mix up at 7Km where athlete competing in the 20km and 10km split caused a lot of confusion. Moroianu had to work hard over the next three kilometers to regain the lead.
South Africa Louisa Lebalo gradually broke away from a lead chase group, positioning herself just behind Moroianu at 15Km. She made her move 500m to the finish overtaking Moroianu and win in (1:11.20). Moroianu (1:11.28) followed ahead of Gloria Baeba (1:12.06), Zimbabwe’s Tabitha Tsatsa (1:12.17), Lesotho’s Mamorallo Tjoka (1:12.28) and Kenyan Margaret Kiplagat (1:13.14).
“I am beginning to enjoy running in this series. I just hope we will not have the problem we today. We were all confused at 8km and this affected our times. I look forwards to bettering my time at the next race in Johannesburg (May 07),” says a reflective Leballo.
Earlier the men’s 10km* race ended on a dramatic note as the first six athletes across the line were separated by the sprint for the finish line. Aaron Gabonewe (31:18) carried the day. Runner up Coolboy Ngamole and third placed Maesela Kekana both clocked 31:19. While Elsewhere Ronel Thomas won the women’s race in 36:43. Catherine Nkosi (36:52) second ahead of Lebohang Phalula (37:40).
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
SELECTED RESULTS -
Note: All Athletes are South Africans unless otherwise mentioned
* Courses most likely short
20 Km:
Men -
1. Hendrick Ramaala 56:52
2. Cuthbert Nyasango 56:52
3. Enos Matalane 57:34
4. Mike Ngasete (Zimbabwe) 57:37
5. Wirimayi Juwawo (Zimbabwe) 57:59
6. Kipruto Rotich (Kenya) 58:02
7. Richard Mavuso 58:12
8. George Mofokeng 58:15
9. Abel Chimokoko (Zimbabwe) 58:28
10. Mike Fokorani (Zimbabwe) 58:31
Women -
1. Louisa Leballo 1:11.20
2. Rodica Moroianu (France) 1:11.28
3. Gloria Baeba 1:12.06
4. Tabitha Tsatsa (Zimbabwe) 1:12.17
5. Mamorallo Tjoka (Lesotho) 1:12.28
6. Margaret Kiplagat (Kenya) 1:13.14
7. Kim Laxton 1:13.46
8. Margaret Mahohoma (Zimbabwe) 1:14:12
9. Paulina Phaho 1:14:59
10. Chiyedza Chokore (Zimbabwe) 1:15.25
10 Km:
Men -
1. Aaron Gabonewe 31:18
2. Coolboy Ngamole 31:19
3. Maesela Kekana 31:19
4. Dominic Khoza 31:21
5. Jacob Selebalo 31:21
6. Zolile Bhitane 31:21
7. Whitey Modibe 31:24
8. Nkopane Seqhobane (Lesotho) 31:24
9. Brighton Chipere (Zimbabwe) 31.34
10. Joshua Saboa 31:29
Women -
1. Ronel Thomas 36:43
2. Catherine Nkosi 36:52
3. Lebohang Phalula 37:40
4. Olivia Chitate (Zimbabwe) 37:49
5. Simagele Mabuza 37:50
6. Praxidis Dim 38:20
7. Machaneta Gwata (Zimbabwe) 38:29
8. Rutendo Nyanora (Zimbabwe) 38:44
9. Tryphinah Ramoba (Zimbabwe) 38:53
10. Luleka Matika 39:02
