Mbongeni Nxazozo is confident that he will win this year’s edition of the Heroes Marathon over 42.2km scheduled for Mthatha tomorrow morning.
The Elliot-born athlete, who came second in the race in 2014, said anything less than winning it would be considered a setback.
And although there are such seasoned athletes as Ludwick Mamabolo running this year, Nxazozo is unfazed.
He thinks an Eastern Cape athlete should win the title.
“I am not perturbed by the so-called big name athletes, especially those who are used to running the Comrades Marathon,” said an upbeat Nxazozo.
“Look, Comrades runners are slower because of the length of the race they are used to running.
“I am faster than them because 42km is my playing ground and I cannot be beaten by a Comrades runner.
“But above all I am an Eastern Cape local and I believe the crown must stay in the province.”
Nxazozo though is concerned that the change of route may be detrimental to his strategy and approach.
The race starts at Mthatha Airport with the finish line at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu.
The 35-year-old believes, however, that since the new route is downward, it may even bolster his chances.
The optimistic Nxazozo though has every reason to fear Mamabolo who is fresh from a third place finish in the Legends Ultra-marathon that took place exactly two months ago.
Mamabolo, a seasoned roadrunner of note, is the kind of athlete who gives his competitors goosebumps by them merely seeing his name on the list of registered runners for any long-distance event.
He will be looking at finishing the year on a high with gold, having not made the cut in the Legends which also takes place in the province.
Another Eastern Cape athlete who was fancied as a contender for the Heroes is Lungile Gongqa who had a fantastic second-place finish in this year’s Cape Town Marathon where he set the record for the fastest time ever by a South African in the race.
However, Gongqa, who has qualified for Rio Olympics next year, has opted to go for 10km in the Heroes, saying his training schedule is aimed at the Mumbai Marathon early next year.
“Although I specialise in doing 42km, it would be detrimental to take it now in the Heroes while I have my eyes set on the Mumbai Marathon which is rather very early in 2016,” said Gongqa.
“So the best thing is to use the 10km as part of my preparations and my objective is simple: any top five finish will do.”
Some others who have been suggested as potential contenders include Xolisa Tyali from Tsolo and Sbu Nzima who are in the 10km race.
But another EC potential contender for the full marathon is Ntsindiso Mphakathi of Port St John’s.
In the 42.2km section, winners, male and female, will walk away with prizemoney of R90 000 while R10 000 is up for grabs for first man and woman in the 10km event.
Marathon Man out on mission in Heroes race
The Elliot-born athlete, who came second in the race in 2014, said anything less than winning it would be considered a setback.
And although there are such seasoned athletes as Ludwick Mamabolo running this year, Nxazozo is unfazed.
He thinks an Eastern Cape athlete should win the title.
“I am not perturbed by the so-called big name athletes, especially those who are used to running the Comrades Marathon,” said an upbeat Nxazozo.
“Look, Comrades runners are slower because of the length of the race they are used to running.
“I am faster than them because 42km is my playing ground and I cannot be beaten by a Comrades runner.
“But above all I am an Eastern Cape local and I believe the crown must stay in the province.”
Nxazozo though is concerned that the change of route may be detrimental to his strategy and approach.
The race starts at Mthatha Airport with the finish line at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu.
The 35-year-old believes, however, that since the new route is downward, it may even bolster his chances.
The optimistic Nxazozo though has every reason to fear Mamabolo who is fresh from a third place finish in the Legends Ultra-marathon that took place exactly two months ago.
Mamabolo, a seasoned roadrunner of note, is the kind of athlete who gives his competitors goosebumps by them merely seeing his name on the list of registered runners for any long-distance event.
He will be looking at finishing the year on a high with gold, having not made the cut in the Legends which also takes place in the province.
Another Eastern Cape athlete who was fancied as a contender for the Heroes is Lungile Gongqa who had a fantastic second-place finish in this year’s Cape Town Marathon where he set the record for the fastest time ever by a South African in the race.
However, Gongqa, who has qualified for Rio Olympics next year, has opted to go for 10km in the Heroes, saying his training schedule is aimed at the Mumbai Marathon early next year.
“Although I specialise in doing 42km, it would be detrimental to take it now in the Heroes while I have my eyes set on the Mumbai Marathon which is rather very early in 2016,” said Gongqa.
“So the best thing is to use the 10km as part of my preparations and my objective is simple: any top five finish will do.”
Some others who have been suggested as potential contenders include Xolisa Tyali from Tsolo and Sbu Nzima who are in the 10km race.
But another EC potential contender for the full marathon is Ntsindiso Mphakathi of Port St John’s.
In the 42.2km section, winners, male and female, will walk away with prizemoney of R90 000 while R10 000 is up for grabs for first man and woman in the 10km event.
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