Marathon champ in town

By Bob Norris

EAST LONDON -- South Africa's Olympic marathon gold medalist, Josia Thugwane, is in East London to train with his old partner, Xolile Yawa.

When asked why Yawa and East London, the diminutive Thugwane said it was Yawa who had taught him how to handle the speed training dished up at the training camp prior to the Atlanta Games.

When it comes to speed few can stay with the Border man and even less who show such grace as the Olympian.

Thugwane won the closest Olympic marathon in history and immediately his life changed from humble worker to celebrity.

Since winning the race of his life, Thugwane set about proving many cities wrong about his speed.

First he broke the long standing SA marathon record with a fine 2:08:06 at the London Marathon in 1997, then smashed the record again in Fukuoka, Japan when he ran 2:07:28.

Thugwane has a number of international races ahead, including the New York City marathon as his next big test.

Yawa, who was cruelly ruled out of the Olympic Marathon at the last moment through injury, will relish the opportunity to train with and assist his friend on what all hope is the road to Sydney 2000.

There is a thought that in Yawa -- now in the twilight of his illustrious running career -- South Africa have an excellent coach/manager for the marathon squad.

Yawa has first-hand knowledge of international arrangements as well as the respect of the athletes likely to be chosen.