THE South African Marathon Championships is set to be bolstered by the inclusion of a number of African teams, Athletics South Africa said on Thursday. ASA’s chief executive officer, Banele Sindani said that: “Kenya, Botswana and Ethiopia have confirmed that they are each sending athletes to compete.” The Championships take place in Cape Town on March 5, and negotiations are underway to include athletes from Lesotho. The African teams have been included in an attempt to help local athletes meet the ASA qualifying standard of 2 hours 11 minutes for the Sydney Olympics. Meanwhile, ASA president Leonard Chuene has been elected Africa group area representative and council member of the IAAF in 1999.