TOP South African runner Hendrik Ramaala reckons he is in greater shape than ever before to reclaim the New York Marathon title.Ramaala is ready for the likes of Kenyan duo Martin Lel and Paul Tergat.
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the organisers have lured almost all the past winners, including Ramaala, who won the event in 2004.
Defending champion Marilson Gomes Dos Santos is also back. The Brazilian will be chasing a fourth title after first winning in 2006.
Moroccan Jaouad Gharib, the 2008 Olympic silver medallist and a two- time world champion, and Patrick Makau, a two-time World Half-Marathon silver medallist, will also be there.
Kwambai, who is also from Kenya, was the Rotterdam Marathon runner-up in April this year and is the third fastest in history with a time of 2hrs:04min:27sec.
“It’s a competition of all the big names in road running, multiple record holders and champions in various activities related to athletics,” Ramaala said.
“My training has gone very well at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg and I’m looking forward to the marathon, it’s a must-win marathon.”
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