Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 58, May 2014 | Page 10

Images: Roger Sedres/ImageSA

In the Lead

Hendrick Ramaala (left) in the leading trio
as they crest Constantia Nek.

Life Left in Ramaala’s Legs
All eyes at this year’s Old Mutual Two
Oceans Marathon were watching
to see if anybody could break the
elusive course records and claim the
R1 million incentive, but come the
end of the 56km ultra-marathon, with
both records still intact, the talk was
all about the superb run by 42-yearold Hendrick Ramaala in his first
race beyond the marathon mark.
– BY SEAN FALCONER
Cresting the monster climb at Constantia Nek in the
leading group of three runners, along with Lebenya
Nkoka and Masilo Matjiane from Lesotho, Hendrick
Ramaala was very much in unknown territory.
The 46km mark was behind him and ahead lay
just 10km more, but his legs were beginning to
suffer, and he could only watch as eventual winner
Lebenya pulled away one kilometre later. A while
later he lost second place to another Lesotho
runner, Warinyane Lebopo, but clawed his way back
to finish second in 3:11:33, less than two minutes
behind the winner’s 3:09:52.
Understandably elated, Hendrick said afterwards
that he really enjoyed the run, despite finding it
hard towards the end. “I didn’t do enough mileage
in preparation for the race and I struggled after
42km, but I’m still happy with my performance. I
really enjoyed myself here at Two Oceans and I
plan to come back next year – with more training I
know I can do better.”

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ISSUE 57 APRIL 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za

TRUE PEDIGREE

PODIUM ROUND-UP

However, it in is the marathon that Hendrick has
enjoyed his greatest success. From a SA perspective,
only Gert Thys (2:06:33) has gone faster than his
2:06:55, and Hendrick has wracked up a remarkable
eight top-10 finishes in the London Marathon and six
in the Ne