By Thathe Msimango
South African Marathon ace Melikhaya Frans is delighted to be included in the elite field for the Boston Marathon scheduled for 17 April.
The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s best-known road racing events. It is one of the six World Major Marathons alongside the London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo marathons.
Amongst the list of the top athletes announced by the organisers is Kenyan Eluid Kipchoge, who is the world record holder over the marathon distance.
Melikhaya Frans, the 33-year-old reigning SA Half Marathon Champion, said he still can’t believe it.
“I’m happy to be invited to a big race like this. This is something I have dreamt of since I started running,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
“The opportunity to run with Kipchoge is what any athlete imagines and wishes for. This is the second time I share the road with him as I ran with him in the 2020 London Marathon. I can’t wait to run with him again.”
Till today, the only South African runner to participate in the Boston on more than one occasion is Lusapho April, who ran it three times. Both Frans and April come from the Eastern Cape.
Frans said he drew a lot of experience from his achievement.
“I have huge respect for April and what he has achieved in his career. He came third in the New York Marathon one year and I want to replicate his success,” said Frans, who is the South Africa 30 km record holder.
“I would also love to run the New York Marathon as well. As South Africans, we have a great history with the race. If I can add my name in that history book I would be very happy,” he said.
Frans has big ambitions in Boston, including slicing his personal best marathon time of 2:09:24.
“My main goal is to clock 2:08:10 which will guarantee me a ticket to the 2024 Olympics in France. I’m more concerned about running a good time. If I can get a podium then it would be a bonus,” he said.
Pictured above: Melikhaya Frans
Image source: Supplied
