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kekana sets his sights on Berlin

Marathoner Johannes Kekana has wrapped his his preparations for the World Championships in Germany next month with an incredible win in Limpopo.

Marathoner Johannes Kekana has wrapped his his preparations for the World Championships in Germany next month with an incredible win in Limpopo.

This was after Kekana clinched the celebrated Foskor Half Marathon in Namakgale, Phalaborwa, on Saturday in a time of 1hour:1min:55 seconds.

Kekana, winner of the All-Africa Games marathon in Nigeria in 2003, is one of the medal hopefuls for Team South Africa at the World Championships in Berlin.

He pocketed R21000 for winning in Phalaborwa, the same amount given to women's winner, Thabita Tsatsa of Zimbabwe.

"It's great to have won such a half marathon, which is renowned for attracting some of the best runners around the world," said Kekana.

"I came here from a training camp at the high performance centre in Potchefstroom for our marathon team, which is going very well.

"My training has gone very well, one is now going to take it easy to maintain shape.

"We are going back to the camp until we leave for Germany mid-August."

A former chef at a hotel in Polokwane, the down-to-earth Kekana finished ahead of Wirima Juwau (1:03:36) and Mosuhli Moeketsi in 1:03:41.

Veteran runner Shadrack Hoff, the South African 5000m record-holder who has been keeping a low profile, came eight at 1:04:36.

Tsatsa clocked 1:16:38 while Mamoralla Tjoka of Lesotho was second in 1:17.21 and Zimbabwean Samukeliso Moyo third in 1:18:07.

Race organiser, Abbey Ledwaba said: "We are quite pleased that the half marathon is still one of the biggest road running events not only in Limpopo, but across the globe.

"The fact that we are having runners from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia and other parts of Africa shows that it's growing in leaps and bounds."

Limpopo Athletics president Kakata Maponyane, said: "It is good for the province to see some of the best runners in the world coming to compete in our townships. Their presence will help in the development of athletics."

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