New York Marathon Bronze Medallist Lusapho April is relishing the prospect of running in front of his home crowd when Port Elizabeth hosts the Jumbo SA Half Marathon Championships on Saturday the 25th of July.
The men's and ladies winners will each take home 35-thousand rand in prize money in the richest half marathon on South African soil.
Jumbo clothing is putting up an additional prize of 100-thousand rand for any athlete breaking the SA men's and women's open record.
Its a noble move from the title sponsors as the flat, two lap course along the Port Elizabeth beachfront is regarded as the fastest half marathon layout in the country.
Speaking at the launching of the race on Tuesday night, Uitenhage born-and-bred April said he had some unfinished business to attend to on race day.
He said he owned an SA Marathon title but not the half and that he was backing himself to deliver the goods this year as he was currently running injury free.
He told AlgoaFM sport that the large prize money was always an incentive and that he expected a strong field in Port Elizabeth on the 25th of July.
April agreed that the flat course would make for a thrilling race if the wind stays away (it blew a 100-km/h gale last year) and that everyone would be chasing fast times in a bid to qualify for next year's World Athletics Championships.
pic Lusapho April and ASA Road Running Chairman James Maloi
