Veteran runner, Teboho Sello, with over two decades of Comrades Marathon experience, is keen to bring victory home in this year’s edition of the grueling South African ultra marathon.
“We are going to practice together and build a tight force so that we can conquer the Comrades Marathon together. We are going to bring victory home,” Sello said this week
Sello was speaking at the announcement of a M100, 000 in financial support by Alliance Insurance Group for local athletes’ preparation for this year’s Comrades Marathon.
The funds will support the organisation of the Hillbusters’ Last Long Run Marathon scheduled for April 26, serving as a critical training platform for athletes targeting the 98th Comrades Marathon. Unlike previous years, there will be no prize money for race winners.
The event, a partnership between Alliance Insurance Group and Hillbusterz Running Club, will feature three categories: a 65km marathon from Matsieng in Mafeteng to Maseru, a 21km half-marathon, and a 10km race in Maseru.
This year’s edition expands beyond Hillbusterz members to include a broader range of athletes. The 2025 Comrades Marathon will follow the Pietermaritzburg-to-Durban route, reversing last year’s course.
LimakatsoMokobocho, Alliance Insurance Group’s Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting local marathoners.
“The upcoming marathon will be no different. The members of the Hillbusterz Racing Club will go to their international competition prepared. There is no prize money, but there are medals and trophies as our way of helping our teams and to ensure that they have enough preparation for the Comrades Marathon. We are really improving, and every athlete will benefit from this marathon,” she said.
Mokobochoemphasised that Alliance’s partnership with Hillbusterz aims to support Basotho athletes competing in the Comrades Marathon. The company’s M100,000 contribution covers crucial logistics including attire, transport, and medical assistance.
“We realised that we have many Basotho athletes who participate in the Comrades Marathon, and we have noticed that out of all sporting codes in the country, Basotho perform better in marathons, so it is only right to support them.”
“We started last year with this initiative, and we noticed that they were all training independently in their own ways. So we decided to bring them together with the little support we have so they can train and practice together in order to make us proud,”Mokobocho stated.
The ultra-marathon is open to all interested Basotho runners with an affordable registration fee. Those completing the 65km race will receive medals.
Hillbusterz Racing Club Deputy Chairperson, HlopmphangNkalai, reflected on the growth of the initiative.
“We started as a small group because we did not have the funding to cater to other athletes, but with the support of Alliance Insurance Company, we were able to secure financial backing to open this marathon to other long-distance runners.”
“We always advise interested participants that they should be able to handle long distances so that they will not have any challenges along the way. For our debut participants, we advise them to prepare a year earlier in order to build their physical strength,”Nkalai stated.
This year’s training route from Matsieng to Maseru was deliberately chosen to mirror the 2025 Comrades Marathon route.
“The event is open to everyone, but we would love to see the 65km race dominated by regular marathon runners, especially those training for the Comrades Marathon,”Nkalai said.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports.
Started working at Newsday in 2021.
has an Associate Degree in Journalism and Media.
