Article Search

 Kilimanjaro run a hill too far for Kekana
    Mark Beer
    March 04 2003 at 02:08AM
Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za

South Africa's Johannes Kekana had to settle for seventh place in the inaugural Kilimanjaro Marathon in Tanzania on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Liberty Nike runner, whose trip up north was sponsored by Nashua Mobile, recorded a time of two hours, 21 minutes and 48 seconds.

Kekana, who was determined to claim the winner's prize of $1 000 (about R8 000), came with a strong finish over the second half after lying in 16th position at the halfway stage.

A field of over 200 athletes from Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, the US, England, France, Wales and Germany participated, with the host nation's runners filling the top four positions.
Continues Below ↓





Lucian Hombo completed the gruelling course in the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, the continent's highest peak and known as the Roof of Africa, in 2:16,25.

Michael Sarwath, who, like Hombo, was also making his first attempt at the 42,2km distance, was second in 2:17,48.

Another Tanzanian, Francis Naali, who won the marathon gold medal at last year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, finished fifth.

Of South African interest, former national marathon champion and record holder Willie Mtolo, who finished second in last year's Comrades Marathon, was 37th on Sunday, while locally-based Zimbabwean Oliver Kandiero was 23rd. Mtolo's participation was made possible by Wild Frontiers.

The demanding course, varying between gravel, tar and a mixture of both, made for very uneven, testing terrain, but the spectacular scenery made up for that. Organisers are hoping to make this an annual event, with increased fields in future.

  • This article was originally published on page 19 of The Star on March 04, 2003

Email StoryPrint Story
BOOKMARK THIS STORY
Social bookmarking allows users to save and categorise a personal collection of bookmarks and share them with others. This is different to using your own browser bookmarks which are available using the menus within your web browser.

Use the links below to share this article on the social bookmarking site of your choice.

Read more about social bookmarking at Wikipedia - Social Bookmarking

muti



Subscribe now to The Star
Watch IOLs latest videos on YouTube Join IOLs Facebook page Follow IOL on Twitter





     Online Services

Date Your Destiny
 
I'm a 19 year old woman looking to meet men between the ages of 18 and 100.
 

     More Services

     More Road Running Stories

     Breaking News      Most Read Stories
      Top News Stories
      Top IOL Sport Stories
      Top Reads - Yesterday



     Entertainment      Motoring
Autopsy report says Jackson wore a wig
Angelina Jolie tours Haiti
Tom Cruise dons mission gear

     Business
Jobs data reveals SA on the right road
Forget about rand; schooling key to growth
Swiss to buy into Adcock division
FIRST DRIVES: Hyundai's new 'Tucson' and sexy Sonata
'Lethal' crash bags in fresh recall scandal
Drivers and cars ill-equipped for when panic strikes
Classic machines howl at Killarney Historic meeting
Yamaha, Ducati set pace at Sepang

     Travel
SA's first liquor-free hotel
Gateway to love is around the corner
Explore the real SA for yourself
Full-body scanners ready to boost security
Fun on islands in the sun
     Careers
Changing lanes in the career highway
Getting to grips with the transport industry
To be your own boss, believe in yourself first
Salary survey puts unstable economy into the equation
Development of child is key