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.
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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
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