Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

South African marathoners will sweat it out in February next year as they hope to make the cut for Athletics South Africa (ASA's) final marathon team for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

ASA has announced that athletes who wish to qualify for the final team should participate for their respective provinces in the Nedbank South African Marathon Championships in Durban on February 10.

The qualifying event is incorporated into the Durban City Marathon.

The qualifying time for men is 2hrs:12min and for women it is 2hrs:36min.

But ASA will still consider other qualifying times achieved at recognised marathon events that will be held on or before April 30.

"The qualifying period started in September this year and our athletes can enter other races to qualify for the Olympics but this should not be beyond April 30," Molatelo Malehopo, ASA's development manager, said yesterday.

"Those who will qualify at the SA champs in Durban in February will not be allowed to compete in distances of over 21,1km after April 30."