Following the boost in confidence he received from a superb performance at the London Marathon in April, Hendrick Ramaala has set his sights on regaining the South African half-marathon title.Ramaala was, at one stage, one of the best half-marathon runners in the world – he won silver medals at the 1998 and 1999 World Half-Marathon Championships – but his focus has since changed.
He made his debut over 42,2km with a fifth place finish in 2:09.43 at the 2000 London Marathon and the classic distance was bumped to top spot on his racing agenda.
Ramaala’s real breakthrough came in 2004 when he became the second South African – after Willie Mtolo – to win the New York Marathon, and the following year he was pipped at the post after a sprint finish with his old rival from Kenya, Paul Tergat.
At the 2006 London race he was third, only 14 seconds behind winner Felix Limo, in 2:06.55 which remains his career best time.
But last year was the worst performance-wise in Ramaala’s distinguished career. He was 10th in London in 2:11.44 and at the Beijing Olympics he limped home in 44th place in the slow time – even in the tough conditions – of 2:22.43.
The 37-year-old, however, returned with renewed vigour to finish fifth at the London race in April in 2:07.44 – the second fastest time of his career.
And while Ramaala knows he can’t compete against the best in the world over 21,1km any more, he hopes to continue challenging for national titles at shorter distances while he focuses on improving his performances over the full marathon.
“I believe I can win a major marathon in the next two years,” Ramaala said yesterday.
“I will keep trying hard and I will carry on until the 2012 Olympics. We'll see what happens after that.”
Ramaala will line-up at the start of the Nedbank Matha Series Half-Marathon in Nelson Mandela Bay, which incorporates the South African Half-Marathon Championships, on July 4. Last year, he was second at the nationals behind Stephen Mokoka.
“I'm still recovering from London,” Ramaala said. “My hamstrings were shattered after that race so I'm not in my best shape.
“But I know at my best I can run under 62 minutes and the nationals are still four weeks away so I will push to get myself in that kind of shape.”
Ramaala won’t line-up at the World Championships in Berlin in August, but he will run a marathon later this year.
mzungo.org looks forward to see Hendrik back once again after the superb performance in London. We've chosen one of our most favourite runners already for the MAN OF THE MATCH title in this years London race.
As statet, he won't run at the Worlds in Berlin. You don't need a crystal ball to point out the race he´ll aim for... Bring it on Hendrik - once again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again...
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