Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 57, April 2014 | Page 13

TWO OCEANS CONTENDERS While ultra-marathons are notoriously difficult to predict, and things can go horribly wrong for even the fastest, fittest athletes, we still think these are the other runners to look out for on in this year’s race. THE MEN Mabothile Lebopo (Maxed Elite), Lesotho The 2010 winner won the Mokgohlong Marathon in Lesotho in December. Shadrack Kemboi (Maxed Elite), Kenya It will be a first race longer than 50km for the Gauteng and Soweto Marathons champion. Michael Mazibuko (Nedbank), South Africa The 2011 Soweto Marathon champion was second in the Vaal Marathon in February. Coolboy Ngamole Coolboy Ngamole. (Nedbank), South Africa The 2012 Olympian is also a former SA Marathon champion, and has the natural speed. Stephen Dikobo (Bidvest), South Africa The 2013 City to City Marathon champion is up to speed, recently closking 31:30 for 10km. Collen Makaza (Toyota), Zimbabwe Fourth last year and runner-up at the World 50km Champs – true racing pedigree. Moeketsi Mosuhli (Maxed Elite), Lesotho The former Soweto Marathon champ finished third last year, so keep an eye out for him. THE WOMEN Thabitha Tsatsa (Maxed Elite), Zimbabwe The defending champion will be looking to improve on her 3:39:54. Jennifer Koech (Nedbank), Kenya After finishing ninth last year, she went on to win the 2013 City to City Marathon. Mamorallo Tjoka (Toyota), Lesotho The multiple Soweto Marathon champ won the Mokgohlong Marathon and Nongoma Ultra in recent months. Nina Podnebesnova (Nedbank), Russia She was fifth in 2013 and has the speed to challenge for the win. 13