ROAD running star Lusapho April is targeting a top-five finish at Saturday's World Half-Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The star from East London will also use the event to sharpen up for the Boston Marathon.
In November, April finished a credible third in a time of 2:09:45 at the New York Marathon on his debut.
His awesome performance earned him an invitation to the Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 21.
The SA half-marathon team will leave for Denmark tomorrow, much to April's relief.
They weren't sure they would be going after Athletics South Africa SA failed to send a team to the African Cross-Country Championships in Uganda last week due to financial problems.
"It's a huge relief as I was a bit worried a few weeks ago, but still continued with my preparations for the half-marathon with some hope the trip will materialise," said April, who turns 32 in May.
Other members of Team South Africa are Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant, Rene Kalmer, Cornelia Joubert and Jenna Challenor.
"Finishing in the top-five bracket on Saturday will be good enough for me, but still don't rule out the possibility of me being the first to cross the finish line.
"The big focus on Saturday will be on the big man Zersenay Tadese, but I'm ready for him and the Kenyans. Anything can happen," April said.
Tadese, 32, who is from Eritrea, is the most decorated athlete in the history of the event after winning 12 medals, five of them gold.
April eyes top-five finish in Denmark
ROAD running star Lusapho April is targeting a top-five finish at Saturday's World Half-Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The star from East London will also use the event to sharpen up for the Boston Marathon.
In November, April finished a credible third in a time of 2:09:45 at the New York Marathon on his debut.
His awesome performance earned him an invitation to the Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 21.
The SA half-marathon team will leave for Denmark tomorrow, much to April's relief.
They weren't sure they would be going after Athletics South Africa SA failed to send a team to the African Cross-Country Championships in Uganda last week due to financial problems.
"It's a huge relief as I was a bit worried a few weeks ago, but still continued with my preparations for the half-marathon with some hope the trip will materialise," said April, who turns 32 in May.
Other members of Team South Africa are Stephen Mokoka, Elroy Gelant, Rene Kalmer, Cornelia Joubert and Jenna Challenor.
"Finishing in the top-five bracket on Saturday will be good enough for me, but still don't rule out the possibility of me being the first to cross the finish line.
"The big focus on Saturday will be on the big man Zersenay Tadese, but I'm ready for him and the Kenyans. Anything can happen," April said.
Tadese, 32, who is from Eritrea, is the most decorated athlete in the history of the event after winning 12 medals, five of them gold.
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