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Tjoka eyes Soweto hat-trick

MAMORALLO Tjoka, Lesotho's queen of the road, hopes to make it three wins in a row once she gets the all clear from a specialist to tackle Sunday's Soweto Marathon.

Tjoka, a member of the successful Toyota Athletics Club, is in Maseru to wrap up her preparations for the celebrated 42.2km event that she won in 2009 and 2010.

"I have been having a bit of a problem with my leg, just above the ankle, but that has not prevented me from doing long distances," said Tjoka.

"I will be seeing a specialist on Thursday. As for the final preparations I must say everything is going according to plan and I'm ready.

"The plan is to win the marathon for the third successive year and also enter my name into the history books of athletics in South Africa."

If Tjoka wins the marathon on Sunday, she will become the third person after Joshua Petersen and Lesotho's Angelina Sephooa to complete a hat-trick of victories.

"The Soweto Marathon is one of my favourite road running events in the world, I love the electrifying atmosphere on the route," said Tjoka.

Toyota Club manager Lucas Mongatane said: "I will be going to Lesotho to fetch Mamorallo and the other runners who have registered, including former winner Tsotang Maine.

"We will also be taking Mamorallo to a specialist on Thursday or Friday to assess the injury, but I have no doubt she will successfully defend her title on Sunday."

Athletics South Africa deputy administrator Hendrick Ramaala said they were happy the marathon is now the talk of the town in major parts of the country.

"The vibe for the Soweto Marathon is incredible, we are getting calls from people in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Mafikeng and Nelspruit who want to take part," he said.

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