Mamello Rakotsoane
Long-distance star Tebello Ramakongoana continues to show remarkable growth on the global stage after delivering a significantly improved performance at the recent Boston Marathon.
The Qacha’s Nek native not only bettered his personal best but also climbed higher up the elite rankings compared to his 2025 outing.
Ramakongoana finished sixth in the 130th edition of the prestigious race, clocking an exceptional 2:04:18, with a major improvement from eighth-place finish in Boston last year. This progress shows a runner who is steadily refining his craft and closing the gap on the world’s best.
The oldest annual marathon globally dating back to 1897, the Boston Marathon hosted in the Massachusetts, United States (US), is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding races due to its undulating course and tactical nature.
Heading into this year’s race, Ramakongoana was already viewed as a promising contender following his strong debut. However, this latest performance has elevated him further, confirming his place among elite marathoners and signaling his growing maturity in handling high-stakes competitions beyond the African circuit.
According to his coach, James McKirdy, the race strategy was carefully executed to maximise performance without being drawn into the tactical surges of competitors.
“Our plan was to focus on some of the best runners we knew would run smart races, while avoiding the temptation to follow every pace change, we wanted Tebello to stay connected to the lead pack but not reveal too much too early.” He said.
He noted that a crucial phase of the race came between the 23km and 25km marks, where positioning becomes vital ahead of Boston’s famously challenging hills.
“At that point, we needed him in the right position to compete effectively through the hills. From there, it was about executing his own race,” he said.
McKirdy praised Ramakongoana’s discipline and consistency, attributing his rapid rise to a strong foundation of simple but essential habits.
“He does the basics exceptionally well he eats well, sleeps well, and trains within his capacity. This result shows what is possible when preparation meets opportunity, we knew we had a chance to deliver the best marathon of his life, and we accomplished that mission,” he said.
Beyond this single race, Ramakongoana’s steady ascent has been building over several seasons. The Olympian represented Lesotho at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), where he gained invaluable experience competing against the world’s finest distance runners.
Since then, he has consistently lowered his times across major international marathons, emerging as one of the most exciting long-distance prospects from Southern Africa.
His breakthrough performances in global races, including strong showings in Asia and now North America, reflect a runner who is no longer confined to continental success but is actively asserting Lesotho’s presence in world athletics.
Traditionally known for producing resilient high-altitude runners, Lesotho is now seeing one of its athletes push into elite global conversations, a space long dominated by East African runners.
Reflecting on the race, Ramakongoana expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his journey.
“I would like to thank the Boston Marathon organisers for the opportunity to compete against the world’s best athletes. To my coach James McKirdy, the fans who lined the streets of Boston, and all Basotho who supported me from home this achievement is for the whole nation,” he said.
He emphasised the difficulty of the course and the significance of his accomplishment.
“Placing sixth with a personal best of 2:04:18 on this course is not easy. This shows that nothing is impossible.”
Ramakongoana also acknowledged the role of his family and sponsors, including Xtep, the Lesotho National Olympic Committee, and Precision Fuel and Hydration, for their unwavering support.
What stands out most from this year’s Boston performance is not just the time or position, but the clear evidence of development. Improving by over two minutes at elite marathon level is a significant leap, particularly on a course as demanding as Boston.
Moving from eighth to sixth place further illustrates sharper tactical awareness and increased competitiveness in deeper, more experienced fields.
For his country, Ramakongoana’s rise carries broader significance. His performances are helping to extend the country’s reputation in long-distance running beyond regional and continental boundaries, placing the national flag firmly on the global athletics map.
Summary
- The oldest annual marathon globally dating back to 1897, the Boston Marathon hosted in the Massachusetts, United States (US), is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding races due to its undulating course and tactical nature.
- This result shows what is possible when preparation meets opportunity, we knew we had a chance to deliver the best marathon of his life, and we accomplished that mission,” he said.
- His breakthrough performances in global races, including strong showings in Asia and now North America, reflect a runner who is no longer confined to continental success but is actively asserting Lesotho’s presence in world athletics.
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