(10/07/2005)

New York marathon champion Hendrick Ramaala has won the revived South Africa Half Marathon Championships in eThekwini (Durban).

Ramaala, who defied strong winds in Portsmouth to claim victory in the Bupa Great South Run last year, paced through the 10km in 28:45, 13km 37:28. 15km 43:16 and 17km in 49:08.

The 33-year-old South African won the event in 1:01:33. Shadrack Hoff was second in 1:01:59 and Norman Dlomo came third in 1:02:24.

Ramaala said: "I am pleased with how my training for the marathon at the World Championships.

"Once I was comfortably ahead in the race, I choose to relax in the last few kilometres as my target is to peak in Helsinki."

"I am quite impressed with the way our athletes have changed their approach to competitions. They no longer sit back and wait until the last few kilometres before turning up the speed," Ramaala added.

Tannith Maxwell claims her first national title ever by winning the women's race in a personal best 1:15:52.

Charne Radameyer was second in 1:16:32 and Gloria Baeba was third in 1:16:53.

Results:

Men

Women