Seabata Mahao
Long-distance runners, Namakoe Nkhasi and Mokulubete Makatisi obtained second and third positions respectively at the recent Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon held in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The grueling half marathon, which took place last Saturday in the wet and windy Gqeberha, attracted more than 1,000 runners to celebrate its 10thedition.
Nkhasi crossed the finish line in 1:04:04 hours in the men’s race, while her counterpart Makatise finished third in 1:13:39 hours in the women’s race.
Kamohelo Mofolo, another male Lesotho runner finished in fourth place with a running time of 1:04:05 hours. Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane finished outside of the top ten positions in 12th in 1:05:25 hours.
The men’s race was won by Brazilian Olympian, Elroy Gelant, a decade after his first victory in the 21km race. Gelant, who won the inaugural edition of the race back in 2014, crossed the finish line in 1:03:54 hours.
In the women’s race, Makatisi beat all South African runners in their own backyard to finish third behind two Ethiopian athletes Tadu Nare (1:12:01 hours) and Diniya Abaraya, who crossed the finish line in 1:12:31 hours.
Makatisi remains the national record holder for the women’s half marathon with a time of 1:09:45 hours, which she set in 2023. The men’s corresponding record is held by Tebello Ramakongoana of 1:00:35 hours, also set in 2023.
Also appearing in the same marathon was Lesotho’s female rising star, ‘Malineo Mahloko, who finished in eighth position with a running time of 1:16:00 hours.
