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Johannesburg - South Africa got off to a slow start with a handful of mediocre performances on the opening day of the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, on Saturday.
Versatile distance runner Rene Kalmer finished 31st in the women's marathon, fading in the second half after an impressive start.
"It was erratic the pace picked up for every water table, then slowed," Kalmer said about her race.
"My plan was to go out at 2:35 pace, which is what I basically did. It was just the last 12 km that I battled."
Kenya dominated the opening day, winning all six medals on offer in the only two finals - the women's 10 000m and marathon disciplines.
Kalmer started well in the first event of the championships, and was prominent in the lead pack for the first 25km, but eventually dropped back to finish in 2:38.16 - less than four minutes slower than the personal best she set in Prague in May.
Annerien van Schalkwyk, the only other South African in the field, was 37th of 46 finishers in 2:43.59, a season's best.
"I thought I was starting easy at 3:40 per km, but I forgot how long a marathon is. Its humid but you don't notice it," said van Schalkwyk.
Former South African, 47-year-old Colleen de Reuck, now competing for the United States, was one place behind Van Schalkwyk in 2:44.35.
In the absence of Tanith Maxwell, who withdrew injured before the championships, South Africa did not field enough athletes to qualify for the World Marathon Cup team event, which Kenya won easily with a clean sweep of the medals.
Simon Magakwe, who lined up next to world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica in the 100m sprint, finished fourth in his heat in 10.53, falling 0.12 seconds short of qualifying as a fastest loser.
Bolt won the heat in 10.10, the fastest of the first-round qualifiers.
"It was a dream come true to start next to Usain," said Magakwe.
The 25-year-old, though, has an injury concern that might hamper his participation in the relay team and possibly the All-Africa Games.
"I felt my (left) hamstring. I'm not sure if I will be ready for the relay, nor for Maputo (African Games).
"Its probably best to rest and then build to London. I really want to make the Olympics."
South African record holder Willem Coertzen was lying 14th with 4 099 points at the halfway stage of the men's decathlon, with the final five events to be completed on Sunday.
Double amputee Oscar Pistorius will start in lane eight in the first round of the men's 400m sprint in Sunday's morning session, and Simone du Toit competes in the qualifying round of the women's shot put.
