LUSAPHO April is looking to deliver another top run in the New York Marathon on Sunday.
"I'm in better shape than last year," April, who finished third in 2013, said before flying out of the country on Tuesday night.
"I did nine weeks of altitude training [at Hogsback in the Eastern Cape] compared to six weeks last time. I'm healthy, I've had no injuries - I'm ready."
He will go up against the Kenyan duo of Geoffrey Mutai, the defending champion and the second-fastest man over 42.2km in history, and former world record-holder Wilson Kipsang. Ethiopians Lelisa Desisa and Gebre Gebremariam are also in the field.
With $60000 (about R655000) on offer to the first two men crossing the line in under 2:05.00 - on top of the $100000 prize for the winner - expectations are that this year's edition will be quick. Even the diminutive South African is predicting a blitzkrieg.
"Kipsang likes to run out fast," said April, who has competed against him before. "That's how he runs."
On paper April, with a personal best of 2:08.32, is way behind the race favourites, but he is undaunted.
"People think these guys are unbeatable, but I believe they are beatable. I go out each and every race with a positive attitude that I'm good enough to win it," said April, who clocked 2:09.45 last year.
April added that he wanted to do well to lift the spirit of South African sport in the wake of three prominent deaths - those of former middle-distance star Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, woman boxer Phindile Mwelase and Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa.
April, from Langa township in Uitenhage, has no plans to stay in New York after the race, explaining he has not seen his family, including four-year-old daughter Avuzwa, for the better part of four months.
"I miss them."
April can reign in big apple
LUSAPHO April is looking to deliver another top run in the New York Marathon on Sunday.
"I'm in better shape than last year," April, who finished third in 2013, said before flying out of the country on Tuesday night.
"I did nine weeks of altitude training [at Hogsback in the Eastern Cape] compared to six weeks last time. I'm healthy, I've had no injuries - I'm ready."
He will go up against the Kenyan duo of Geoffrey Mutai, the defending champion and the second-fastest man over 42.2km in history, and former world record-holder Wilson Kipsang. Ethiopians Lelisa Desisa and Gebre Gebremariam are also in the field.
With $60000 (about R655000) on offer to the first two men crossing the line in under 2:05.00 - on top of the $100000 prize for the winner - expectations are that this year's edition will be quick. Even the diminutive South African is predicting a blitzkrieg.
"Kipsang likes to run out fast," said April, who has competed against him before. "That's how he runs."
On paper April, with a personal best of 2:08.32, is way behind the race favourites, but he is undaunted.
"People think these guys are unbeatable, but I believe they are beatable. I go out each and every race with a positive attitude that I'm good enough to win it," said April, who clocked 2:09.45 last year.
April added that he wanted to do well to lift the spirit of South African sport in the wake of three prominent deaths - those of former middle-distance star Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, woman boxer Phindile Mwelase and Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa.
April, from Langa township in Uitenhage, has no plans to stay in New York after the race, explaining he has not seen his family, including four-year-old daughter Avuzwa, for the better part of four months.
"I miss them."