World Half Marathon 2012: South Africa pick Mokoka and Kalmer for Kavarna

Athletics South Africa (ASA) has selected Stephen Mokoka and René Kalmer to lead the men and women's team that will represent SA at the 2012 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships holding in Kavarna, Bulgaria on October 6.

The team, which will consist of three men and three women (top three finishers at the SA Half Marathon Championships in Cape Town on August 26) include:  Stephen Mokoka, Lucky Mohale and Gladwin Mzazi (Men) with Rene Kalmer, Christine Kalmer and Nolene Conrad (Women).

According to the ASA website, after competing in the marathon at the Olympic Games in London, Stephen Mokoka won his second half marathon of the year at the SA Half Marathon Championships in Cape Town in a personal best time of 60:57, which was a significant improvement from the win in Sasolburg early in February.   He crossed the line in 65:11 at the Sasolburg Half Marathon. 

The other two male members of the team are Lucky Mohale and Gladwin Mzazi.  Mohale and Mzazi finished second and third at the Championships, their times clocked at 61:08 and 61:38 respectively.  Both athletes also ran personal best times in Cape Town.

Rene Kalmer’s aim at the World Half Marathon Championships is to dip under the 70 minutes mark and she already got closer to the target after her win at the SA Half Marathon Championships.  Kalmer competed at the Great North Run in Newcastle, England where she finished the race in 70:13. Just like Mokoka, she also competed in the marathon at the Olympic Games in London.

The other women in the team are Rene's younger sister, Christine Kalmer, and Nolene Conrad who finished behind Rene at the Championships, their times 75:23 and 76:13 respectively.

(ASA)