Lebo Phalula to aim for Rio marathon
by David Isaacson
2016-03-17 05:00:00.0
AS IF there are not enough top runners trying to make the South African women’s Olympic marathon team, Lebo Phalula has confirmed she is also throwing her race number into the ring.
Phalula said at the launch of this year’s Spar Grand Prix 10km women’s series in Johannesburg on Wednesday she would compete at the Enschede Marathon in Holland on April 17.
The 2 hour 38 minute 55 seconds she ran in her 42.2km debut in Cape Town last year ranks her fourth on the list of South African women bidding to get to the Rio Olympics in August.
The maximum capacity of the team is three.
Christine Kalmer tops the list on 2:33.43, ahead of Jenna Challenor on 2:37.12, and Mapaseka Makhanya on 2:37.21.
But the big guns will roll out next month, starting with Makhanya in Daegu on April 3, followed by René Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl in London on April 24.
"It was a secret (that I’m going for the marathon)," said Phalula, whose twin sister Lebogang plans on qualifying for the Games on the track, in the 1,500m and 5,000m. "I didn’t want people to know in case I didn’t make it, (but the marathon) is in my blood. I can feel it.
"Hopefully I will be one of the three women in Rio," said Phalula, who declined to disclose what time she was targeting.
Spar announced that the six past Grand Prix winners — who include three of Phalula’s Olympic rivals in Mapaseka, Kalmer and Van Zyl — would mentor juniors this year.
Makhanya admitted she was feeling edgy with her South Korean venture fast approaching.
"I’m nervous already, I’m dreaming about it, having sleepless nights." She was less cagey about her intentions, saying she wanted to improve on her 2:31:02 personal best.
René Kalmer, who has a 2:29:27 from 2014, is the fastest of the South Africans, but she is returning from injury. Van Zyl, who has been in great form, is one to watch for pure speed. Phalula’s second career marathon will surely have to be fast.
ECSTATIC: Lebo Phalula celebrates finishing fifth in the Spar Women’s 10km Challenge, thereby clinching the Spar Grand Prix Series at the Wanderers Club on Sunday. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/REG CALDECOTT
AS IF there are not enough top runners trying to make the South African women’s Olympic marathon team, Lebo Phalula has confirmed she is also throwing her race number into the ring.
Phalula said at the launch of this year’s Spar Grand Prix 10km women’s series in Johannesburg on Wednesday she would compete at the Enschede Marathon in Holland on April 17.
The 2 hour 38 minute 55 seconds she ran in her 42.2km debut in Cape Town last year ranks her fourth on the list of South African women bidding to get to the Rio Olympics in August.
The maximum capacity of the team is three.
Christine Kalmer tops the list on 2:33.43, ahead of Jenna Challenor on 2:37.12, and Mapaseka Makhanya on 2:37.21.
But the big guns will roll out next month, starting with Makhanya in Daegu on April 3, followed by René Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl in London on April 24.
"It was a secret (that I’m going for the marathon)," said Phalula, whose twin sister Lebogang plans on qualifying for the Games on the track, in the 1,500m and 5,000m. "I didn’t want people to know in case I didn’t make it, (but the marathon) is in my blood. I can feel it.
"Hopefully I will be one of the three women in Rio," said Phalula, who declined to disclose what time she was targeting.
Spar announced that the six past Grand Prix winners — who include three of Phalula’s Olympic rivals in Mapaseka, Kalmer and Van Zyl — would mentor juniors this year.
Makhanya admitted she was feeling edgy with her South Korean venture fast approaching.
"I’m nervous already, I’m dreaming about it, having sleepless nights." She was less cagey about her intentions, saying she wanted to improve on her 2:31:02 personal best.
René Kalmer, who has a 2:29:27 from 2014, is the fastest of the South Africans, but she is returning from injury. Van Zyl, who has been in great form, is one to watch for pure speed. Phalula’s second career marathon will surely have to be fast.
