July 17, 2003
By Bongani Majola
SUNDAY'S Blue IQ Joburg City Challenge has drawn probably the best field ever assembled in Africa for the half-marathon distance, boasting athletes from as far a field as Kenya and Morocco.
Topping the list are several Kenyans, including Yusuf Songoka, who was narrowly outpaced in the prestigious City-Pier-City 21km race in the Netherlands recently. Songoka clocked 60 minutes and 56 seconds, the same time as winner Joseph Ngolepus. The performance is the seventh fastest time this year, so the stakes are hotting up for the Joburg Challenge.
Songoka will be joined by a number of other impressive runners, including compatriots Eliud Lagat, Kipkorir Kosgei and Rugut Philip. Competitors will also have to watch out for Moroccan champion, Gharib Jaquad, who brings his track speed and half-marathon experience to the party.
The line up is boosted by South Africa's own best half-marathon and marathon exponents: Shadrack Hoff, Josiah Thugwane, Abner Chipu, Gert Thys, Ian Syster and Hendrik Ramaala.
And the women's field boasts a similar look of class, particularly with the announcement by former world record holder and Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyer that she is up for the R175 000 first prize.
Meyer joins two-time world cross-country champion, Zola Pieterse, as well as former South African marathon champion Gwen van Lingen. Other local contenders are Bulelwa Mtshagi, Poppy Mlambo, Maureen Dladla and Lebo Phalula.
Held on Sunday 20 July, the inaugural 21km Blue IQ Joburg City Challenge marks the official opening of the Nelson Mandela Bridge linking Braamfontein with Newtown in the inner city.
Former president Mandela will officially open the cable-stayed bridge at the start of the festival of running. Other events include a 10km race, a 5km fun run, a 400m jog for pre-schoolers and a celebrity street mile.
