On Sunday 31 January, Irvette van Zyl once again showed that if she remains injury free, then she has to be one of South Africa’s favourites to not only make the team for the Olympic Marathon, but also the 10 000m.
The 28 year-old gave birth to bouncy LJ Junior in September, and already 5 months later she is screaming along on the roads.
A week after posting her 6th best time ever over 10km of 33:30 at the George Claasen road race (bearing in mind this was also run altitude) Irvette flew to victory in the Johnson’s Crane Half Marathon, clocking 1:12.08 – her THIRD BEST EVER time for this distance. This prompted renowned South African athletics correspondent, Manfred Seidler to take to twitter:
According to coach Lindsey Parry, Irvette had been holding back. “She was supposed to run 74min, and when she realised how good she felt and how fast she was going she had to throttle back. But that time is so good it equates to around a 69min at the coast.” That would clip 1 minute off her best ever time of 70:56.
“I started to slow down when I saw how fast I was going; I did not want to get into trouble with my coach”, laughed Van Zyl. Both are extremely excited about her form which bodes really well for London Marathon race in April where she will attempt to qualify for the Olympic Marathon.
“It was a good tempo run in preparation for London Marathon. I felt really
comfortable on a average pace of 3:25 per km. The plan was just to run a low
74min but that felt to slow and uncomfortable, so I picked up the pace a bit. When I crossed the line I was amazed that I had run such an easy 72:08.
The route had a few turns and slow drag uphills but overall it wasn't that
hard of a course. Weather conditions were perfect, nice and cool with no wind.
I enjoyed the race and the support we got on the route.”
Bosman cruises to win:
Likewise, it was a good day at the office for Charne Bosman who won the Marathon with ease, covering the 42km two lapper in a 2:48;52. Bosman was lying 2nd until 28km behind Risper Kimaiyo. “I thoroughly enjoyed the new route, going through halfway in 85min, so a negative split was very encouraging. I wanted to run between 2:48 and 2:53 so this was a fantastic effort for me. Last year, even though it was on a different route, I finished 3rd a full 9 minutes slower”.
Bosman has her sights firmly set on the Comrades Marathon and is stronger than ever. “I just feel so much stronger than in previous years and am really enjoying my running again,” said Bosman when interviewed at the end of 2015. Well the evidence is plain that she is doing something right. Bosman was also the first veteran (over 40) across the line.
Bosman will line up at the Pick ‘n Pay Half Marathon in mid February.
Finishing a strong second behind Bosman was Risper Kimaiyo who has her sights set up the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon on 26 March. Kimaiyo has a marathon best of 2:29;16 which she ran in Rome in 2009.
There were also other good results for the Nedbank Dream Green Team at the popular Johnson Crane which had 11 000 runners line up over the 10km, half marathon and marathon distance.
Moses Kiptoo was second in the men’s 10km in 30:07; Africa Mailola who is in Marathon training clocked 1:07.07 for third in the half marathon.
“I ran 65 minutes and 49 seconds at the Johnson Crane Half Marathon, finishing 3rd. I felt that the course was not to tough, easily staying with the leading bunch from the start until the last 2k to go where they outkicked me. But I'm feeling good and really looking forward to the S.A. marathon championship” (The SA Marathon Championships take place in East London on 20th Ferbruary.
The evergreen Modibe Ludwick Mamabolo was second in the marathon (2:25.25) and looking very comfortable. His focus of course the Big C, the Comrades Marathon and to reclaim his title.
Results Johnson Crane Marathon 31 January, Benoni
10km
Men
Open 2 Moses Kiptoo (Nedbank) 30:07
Women
3.Jeanette McKenzie (Nedbank) 38:06
21km
Men
Open
3 Africa Mailola (Nedbank) 67:07
Women
Open
1 Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 72:08;
42km
Men
2 Ludwick Mamabolo (Nedbank) 2:25:25;
Women
Open
1 Charne Bosman (Nedbank) 2:48:52; 2 Risper Kimaiyo (Nedbank) 2:52:05;
Veterans
1 Charne Bosman (Nedbank) 2:48:52