JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday, 06 February 2008: Defending champions Poppy Mlambo (Central Gauteng Athletics) and Bethuel Netshifhlefhe (Athletics Gauteng North ) are convinced they can set their career best performances at the Nedbank Durban City Marathon this coming Sunday.

The race has added significance as it is both the South Africa Marathon Championships and a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics. Competing in only her third marathon, Mlambo reckons she has what it takes to break new grounds.

“My basic aim is to improve my personal best of 2 hours 39 minutes 19 seconds (2:39:19) which I achieved when I won my maiden marathon at the Nedbank SA Marathon Champs last year, in Port Elizabeth. My goal is to achieve the Olympics A standard qualifier of (2:36). I have not run a marathon since the World Championships in Osaka Japan last August, so I should be in my best form this weekend,” Mlambo revealed.

Dimakatso Menong (Athletics Gauteng North) and Eunice Nhlapo (Athletics Gauteng North) are expected to be Mlambo’s main challengers in her title defence. The presence of Lesotho’s Mamarolla Tjoka and Beata Naigambo of Namibia will provide the pace Mlambo needs to break new grounds in her fledging marathon career.

Meanwhile, with George Mofokeng (Athletics Gauteng North) unavailable to defend the men’s title, Bethuel Netshifhlefhe starts as the favourite to win the men’s title. To qualify for the Olympics he needs to cover the distance in less than 2 hours 12 minutes (2:12).

Netshifhlefhe set his career best of 2:11:44 in Pinelands, near Cape Town eight year ago before being plagued by a series of injuries that kept him out of top flight athletics for five year. Last year he bounced back finishing runner up at this championships.

“I relish the challenge that lies ahead. I used the Nedbank Matha Series in Tshwane a few weeks ago to test my level of fitness. My performance convinces me that I am in the kind of form to better my career best,” says Netshifhlefhe.

“With a host of entries from neighbouring countries, Netshifhlefhe has the kind of challenge that should propel him to a personal best. Former Nedbank Soweto Marathon Champions Mabuthile Lebopo and Tsotang Maine are likely to lead Lesotho fearsome contingent.

Other challengers are Zimbabwe’s Marko Mambo, Portipher Domdojena and Abel Chimukoko. Tobias Hiskia and Gabriel Simon will present the Namibian challenge. Botswana has two entries Onkemetse Solotale and Omphile Montwedi. Swaziland will field four runners Mbhamali Moses, Mdluli Sphesihle, Magagula Muzi, and Bhembe Lucky.

2007 NEDBANK SA MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS - Top 5
Men:
1. George Mofokeng, 2:13:50 PB
2. Bethuel Netshifhlefhe, 2:14:08
3. Mabuthile Lebopo (Lesotho), 2:14:31
4. Tsotsang Maine (Lesotho), 2:14:42
5. Mike Fokoroni (Zimbabwe), 2:15:13

WOMEN -
1. Poppy Mlambo, 2:39:19 PB
2. Tanith Maxwell, 2:40:46
3. Rianan van Niekerk, 2:43:00
4. Beata Naigambo (Zimbabwe), 2:43.35
5. Samukeliso Moyo (Zimbabwe), 2:44:28