Fall robs Bak of Comrades course record
 
June 17 2002
 
By Larry Lombaard
IOL Sport
 
Germany's Maria Bak hit high drama when she made cruel contact with the tarmac in the final 1,5km while going for the up course record during the Comrades Marathon women's race on Monday.
 
"I had the record in my sights," said the 43-year-old German after claiming her third Comrades victory. "Then I tripped over a speed hump. I fell hard on the ground. When I got up, my rhythm was gone and I lost valuable time. I had to finish the last kilometre in four minutes. I still tried, but it was no good.
 
"Still, I'm very happy with my win. I will be back again," said Bak sporting angry grazes on her elbows and knees. She won the women's titles in 1995 and 2000.
 
Bak was in a class of her own on Monday. She moved up from depth to overtake Russia's Elvira Kolpakova with just under 48km to go, then forged ahead for a 6:14:21 victory, just short of American Ann Trason's record 6:13: 23.
 
She was followed by Russians Natalia Volgina (6:17:26) and Marina Bychkova who ran 6:24:23.
 
Bak, who was suspended for two years after testing positive for an illegal substance before her return to Comrades in 2000, also took a verbal swipe at the manner in which the overseas runners were tested on Saturday.
 
She intimated that the overseas runners had been picked out for EPO pre-race testing above the local athletes.
 
"But the EPO testing is no problem for me. I'm clean. In a way I'm glad it happened because now people here might look at me as a worthwhile champion."
 
Farwa Mentoor of Cape Town was the first South African woman home for fourth in 6:41:20, with Grace de Oliveira sixth in 6:43:12.
 
"I had a tough time," said De Oliveira who was the favourite among the South Africans. "I cramped up with 16km to go and every step was a struggle from there." - Sapa