Kilde: IOL
 
Top contenders line up for Two Oceans
 
March 21 2002 at 03:22PM
 
Cape Town - The field for this year's Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon presented by Nike is stronger than ever, with the top contenders ready to do battle in what promises to be a thrilling display of ultra marathon running.
 
In the men's race nine of the 2001 gold medallists will be going for top honours, including winner Honest Mutsakani, runner-up Sam Flathela and third place finisher Keith Court. The line-up includes repeat gold medallists and consistent contenders Nixon Nkodima and Morgen Sithole, as well as outstanding Russian veteran Vladimir Kotov, holder of the up-run record for the Comrades Marathon and second place finisher in the 2000 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon.
 
This year's remarkable field of international entrants includes those that have left their mark on South African ultra-running over the past five years: Dimitri Grishine, Alexei Volgin and Jaroslaw Janicki.
 
The men's field will be spiced up by the presence of former New York Marathon winner and South African icon Willie Mtolo, who is bent on re-establishing himself as a major force in ultra distance running. It will also mark the return of Donovan Wright after a lengthy battle with a brain tumour, and the re-emergence of perennial front-runner Eric Mhlongo, who is guaranteed to set the cat amongst the pigeons and keep the pace honest at the front of the race.
 
The women's field is just as impressive, with Gwen Van Lingen returning to defend her title against the internationals who chased her all the way to the line last year: Natalia Volgina, Maria Bak, Deb Mattheus and Alena Vinitskaya, while 2001 Comrades winner Elvira Kolpakova also ranks amongst the top contenders. The 2000 Two Oceans winner and last year's sixth place finisher Sarah Mahlangu will be looking for a better result this year, while the return of three-time former winner and the second fastest woman ever on the course, Angelina Sephooa, will be closely watched by rivals and spectators alike.
 
Consistent South African performers Grace de Oliviera and Madeleen Otto are always gold medal threats, and this year should be no different, particularly since De Oliviera will be in contention for the husband and wife team prize with her husband Eloi. - Sapa