Seabata Mahao
Lesotho’s top marathon athletes and former power couple, ‘Neheng Khatala and Khoarahlana Seutloali, delivered outstanding performances at the recent Soweto Marathon, claiming top honuors by finishing first and second in their respective races.
Representing Hollywood AC Lesotho, Khatala emerged as the women’s champion, completing the race in 2:43:07 hours and earning the M250,000 grand prize.
Averaging three minutes and 50 seconds per kilometer, Khatala’s debut at the Soweto Marathon was impressive, especially as she was unfamiliar with the course. Reflecting on her win, Khatala credited her preparation.
“I’m proud of myself. Running 10 km races in Absa and TotalSports events before today helped me. This is my first time running the Soweto Marathon, and I did not know the course,” she said
Seutloali, in the men’s race, finished in 2:18:54, just 18 seconds behind South Africa’s Onalenna Khonkhobe, who claimed first place.
Seutloali’s efforts earned him second place and M150,000. Though he had aimed for first, Seutloali expressed satisfaction with his position in the highly competitive race.
“I went into the race aiming for number one, but I’m happy with second. The Soweto Marathon is a big, special race, and I have been preparing for it for a long time,” he said.
Seutloali now has his sights set on the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in April 2024 and emphasised the challenges of training, particularly due to weather conditions at Makoanyane Barracks, where he often trains.
“Training requires significant financial resources, and weather can disrupt the schedule, but I’m grateful to the army for allowing access to their grounds,” he shared.
In addition to Khatala’s success, her compatriots, ‘Malineo Mahloko and ‘Mathakane Letsie, also achieved top placements in the women’s race. Mahloko finished fifth with a time of 2:54:58, while Letsie secured the 14th position.
Other standout male athletes included Jobo Khatooane and Lekhotla Pulinayana, who jointly finished 10th with a time of 2:22:48. Lebenya Nkoka (14th, 2:24:14), Moeketsi Mosuhli (18th, 2:25:36), and Namakoe Nkhasi (19th, 2:25:38) also secured top 20 finishes.
In the women’s half marathon, Mokulubete Makatisi earned a podium spot by finishing third in 1:18:58, competing closely with Ethiopia’s Diniya Abaraya (1:15:09) and South Africa’s Karabo Mailula (1:16:02). Reitumetse Thethana rounded out Lesotho’s strong showing, finishing fifth with a time of 1:27:30.
In the men’s half marathon, Kamohelo Mofolo clinched first place with a time of 1:06:10, and Teboho Noosi followed at 1:09:46. Other notable finishers in the top 50 included Montši Matšaba (1:13:10), Makhokolo Mokoteli (1:16:19), and Thabang Lebesa (1:23:05).
