By VUYOKAZI NKANJENI
Eastern Cape marathon star Lusapho April says his hill training in Hogsback will stand him in good stead when he competes in the Rio Olympics on August 21.
April arrived in Brazil on Wednesday morning and wasted no time as he took to the road for a trial run just to loosen up his legs.
The two-time Two Oceans half marathon winner is determined to dramatically improve on his effort at the London Olympics in 2012, where he placed 43rd.
He has an entire week to familiarise himself with his surrounds.
April says having trained at one of the hilliest parts of the Eastern Cape will give him an upper hand, as they will be running on the cycling course which is a bit steep in parts.
The Jumbo-sponsored star will be competing with fellow South African marathon runners, including Stephen Mokoka, Sibusiso Nzima and 2014 Jumbo Beach to Beach winner Lungile Gongqa.
“The weather is great. I went for my run yesterday to loosen my legs. Today I went for a 16km steady run which I enjoyed.
“The atmosphere is amazing and I am super excited,” April said.
“We are going to be running on part of the cycling course. I don’t have a problem with a hilly course, so I am pretty happy.”
The 34-year-old won the Hanover Marathon in Germany for the third time this year, following victories there in 2011 and 2013 thus becoming man in history to win the prestigious event three times.
Although people will be expecting much from him in Rio, he said was not under any pressure to perform well.
“I know what I am capable of,” he said.
“What matters to me the most is the fact that I will give it my best. If my best ends up being a medal, that is good for me and the country.
“Even if I finish in 10th place, I will still be happy.
“But I am not going there for a top-10 finish, I am going there to get a medal. But if things don’t go according to my plan, and something else comes up, I will have to accept the consequences of that.”
April is aware he will be up against the world’s best runners saying it is a championship race and anyone stood a good chance of winning.
“I am not worried about the other competitors. I am only worried about myself, what I will do on the day of the race, and how my body responds,” he said.
April took to the hills to prepare
Eastern Cape marathon star Lusapho April says his hill training in Hogsback will stand him in good stead when he competes in the Rio Olympics on August 21.
April arrived in Brazil on Wednesday morning and wasted no time as he took to the road for a trial run just to loosen up his legs.
The two-time Two Oceans half marathon winner is determined to dramatically improve on his effort at the London Olympics in 2012, where he placed 43rd.
He has an entire week to familiarise himself with his surrounds.
April says having trained at one of the hilliest parts of the Eastern Cape will give him an upper hand, as they will be running on the cycling course which is a bit steep in parts.
The Jumbo-sponsored star will be competing with fellow South African marathon runners, including Stephen Mokoka, Sibusiso Nzima and 2014 Jumbo Beach to Beach winner Lungile Gongqa.
“The weather is great. I went for my run yesterday to loosen my legs. Today I went for a 16km steady run which I enjoyed.
“The atmosphere is amazing and I am super excited,” April said.
“We are going to be running on part of the cycling course. I don’t have a problem with a hilly course, so I am pretty happy.”
The 34-year-old won the Hanover Marathon in Germany for the third time this year, following victories there in 2011 and 2013 thus becoming man in history to win the prestigious event three times.
Although people will be expecting much from him in Rio, he said was not under any pressure to perform well.
“I know what I am capable of,” he said.
“What matters to me the most is the fact that I will give it my best. If my best ends up being a medal, that is good for me and the country.
“Even if I finish in 10th place, I will still be happy.
“But I am not going there for a top-10 finish, I am going there to get a medal. But if things don’t go according to my plan, and something else comes up, I will have to accept the consequences of that.”
April is aware he will be up against the world’s best runners saying it is a championship race and anyone stood a good chance of winning.
“I am not worried about the other competitors. I am only worried about myself, what I will do on the day of the race, and how my body responds,” he said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos