After Pietermaritzburg-based Sibonela Duma led the race out at two minute 50 seconds for the first kilometre after which a large group of over forty runners driven primarily by the experienced Hendrick Ramaala settled into a rhythm.
Although there was a gradual degradation of numbers little changed as the leaders steamed past the kilometres hitting 5km in 14:26 and 10km 29:30.
On the long straight towards Uitenhage, Mokoka, Lusapho April, and fellow marathoner from the ASA Altitude training camp, tested the competition pulling a group of ten free from the field.
By 18km it was still anyone's race with Ramaala, Mokoka April, and Zimbabwean Wirimai Juwawo shoulder to shoulder clocking 2:50 kilometres. Mokoka upped a gear with Juwawo and Western provinces LindiKhaya Mthangayi running well above for, in the slipstream.
Mokoka's time was the first of a barrel-load of personal and seasonal bests produced on the flat single-lap course around the Motherwell township which is arguably the fastest in the country. Unquestionably the performances benefited from the windless conditions and the large financial time incentives that introduced in the final build up to the race.
Mthangayi who unquestionably benefited from training at the high altitude camp with the SA Marathon squad, out kicked the Zimbabwean on the track for second place in 61:32 and a late surge by Lesotho's Sechaba Bonosi secured fourth with Ramaala taking fifth overall.
Ramaala's 61:43 is one of his fastest 21km of recent years and only just slower than his 61:30 half way time in this year's London Marathon.
Lusapho April finished seventh overall and third in the SA championships in 61:49, carving 35 seconds from his previous best, and showing good form in his preparation towards next month's World Marathon Championships in Berlin.
In addition to his second SA title, and the prospect of a place in the team to the World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham, UK in October, Mokoka left with R50000 for his time and overall win.
"It was very tough out there. The guys are very fit. I never expected so many to be with us at 15km" said the 24 year old representing Gauteng North. "It was a struggle, but my training had been going very well. After 19km I thought I could take it and made my move. I'm very happy"
The talented trio of Annerien van schalkwyk, Reene Kalmer and Zimbabwean Tabitha Tsatsa ran the first 17km together with Van Schalkwyk initiating the drive for home on the final three kilometre descent to the finish.
Kalmer, who arrived back from racing on the USA road circuit last Sunday, was unable maintain pace allowing Van Schalkwyk to open a telling lead to cross the line for the SA title in one hour eleven minutes and 49 seconds. Tsatsa tried to hang onto Van schalkwyk's shadow as they entered the track but had to settle for second in 72 minutes 16 seconds.
In addition to being the only women to benefit from the Nedbank and ASA time incentive of R8000 for breaking 72 minutes, Van Schalkwyk carved an impressive four minutes eleven seconds from her personal best.
"I was troubled with my ITB (knee) from around half way. It was a great run by Annerien" said Rene Kalmer, who hopes that the performances will be good enough to have a womens team compete in the World Championships in October. "This is my second fastest time ever, so I'm please especially after arriving back from the States so close to the race"
Poppy Mlambo finished fifth behind Lesotho's Mammorolla Tjoka in 74:41, recording another personal best, and taking the Bronze in the SA Championship.
Mlambo was followed by her training partner at the Potchefstroom training camp, Tanith Maxwell who reduced her 21km time by exactly one minute, which augers well for her performance in the Berlin World Marathon Championships where she is South Africa's sole women representatives.
Although van Schalkwyk took the individual honours, Kalmer led the Central Gauteng quartet to the team award in four hours 59 minutes 55 seconds only two minutes 51 seconds ahead of the Gauteng North team, with Western Province third.
The men's team prizes duplicated the provinces and order with Xolisa Tyali (5th), Coolboy Ngamole (8th), Jeffrey Gwebu (10th) and Sibusiso Nzima (13th) giving Central Gauteng top position in four hours nine minutes and three seconds.
1 Stephen Mokoka AGN 1:01:26, 2 Lindikhaya Mthangayi WPA 1:01:32, 3 Wirimai Juwawo ZIM 1:01:38, 4 Sechaba Bonosi Toyota 1:01:42, 5 Hendrik Ramaala Ned CGA 1:01:43, 6 Mbongeni Ngaxzozo Ned CGA 1:01:47, 7 Lusapho April EPA 1:01:49, 8 Enos Matalane AGN 1:01:57, 9 Xolisa Tyali CGA 1:01:58, 10 Shadrack Hoff AGN 1:02:05
1 Annerien van Schalkwyk AGN 1:12:13, 2 Tabitha Tsatsa ZIM 1:12:16, 3 Rene Kalmer CGA 1:12:25, 4 Mammorolla Tjoka LES 1:14:25, 5 Poppy Mlambo CGA 1:14:41, 6 Tanith Maxwell KZN 1:14:52, 7 Margeret Mahohoma MrP CGA 1:15:16, 8 Tshifhiwo Mondalamo CGA 1:15:29, 9 Onneile Dintwe Ned AGN 1:15:44, 10 Marelise Retief AGN 1:15:59
