Olympics Special – Stephen Mokoka’s mission in Sapporo
Stephen Mokoka feeds of the support from an activation station en route to winning the 2018 Cape Town Marathon. Photo: Stephen Granger
South African distance running supremo, Stephen Lesego Mokoka, is a man on an extraordinary mission: to follow in...
Olympics Special: Irvette Van Zyl’s remarkable comeback
By Stephen Granger
In May 2020, three-time Soweto Marathon and SPAR Grand Prix 10km series winner, Irvette Van Zyl, chose to go under the knife to relieve the nagging knee pain she had experienced ever since a scooter accident as...
Olympics Special – Nigeria’s first woman track & field gold medalist
Chioma Ajunwa was the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. She didn't understand the significance until she was swamped by a crowd during a stopover in Senegal, on the way home.
By Humphrey...
Fast pace as Kenyans win in Siena, South African women’s record shattered by Steyn.
Kenyans Eric Kiptanui and Angela Tanui took line honours in impressive style at the Xiamen Marathon and Tuscan Training Camp Elite Race in Italy on Sunday morning (April 11) while South African Gerda Steyn, smashed the South African national...
For Africa’s marathon runners, the “fastest way to Tokyo” gold may be via Hamburg
The German city of Hamburg takes centre stage in world distance running in April, with many of Africa's - and the world’s - leading marathoners, expected to toe the line of the NN Mission Marathon.
World record-holder, Eliud Kipchoge,...
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in line to become the seventh Abbott’s Marathon Major as...
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon remains on course for Abbott World Marathon Majors membership in 2025 as 18 000 participants prepare to toe the start line at dawn tomorrow (15 October 2023), significantly up on last year's race.
Excitement levels...
Olympics Special – Elroy Gelant on chasing that medal with the “lion pack”
By Stephen Granger
Elroy Gelant faces one of the biggest tests of his athletics career in Japan in three weeks’ time when he lines up at the start of the Olympic Marathon in Sapporo, 800km north of the Olympic City...
South Africans mount “best ever” Olympics marathon campaign
by Stephen Granger
Five athletes in the South African Olympic squad will be heading to the island of Hokkaido and the city of Sapporo, 800 km north of Japan’s capital and Olympic hub Tokyo, to take part in the women’s...
NIGER’S TAEKWONDO HERO AIMS FOR TOKYO GOLD
Abdoulrazak Alfaga had to practice taekwondo in secret when he started his sport. Now, at 26, he is a world champion, is idolised in Niger and is aiming to capture gold in Tokoyo. This is his story.
(video available here)
"When...
Olympics Special – SA’s Olympics marathoners to make the most of Sapporo
By Stephen Granger
Tatjana Schoenmaker’s gold medal in the 200m breaststroke was undoubtedly the high point of South Africa’s Tokyo Olympic endeavours, while surfer Bianca Buitendag’s silver medal proved an added delight. Can the talented marathon team, currently honing their...