Long-distance running sensation, Tebello Ramokongoana, has officially wrapped up his competitive season after a year marked by world-class performances and historic achievements.
In an exclusive interview with Newsday Sports, Ramokongoana’s coach, James McKirdy, confirmed that the 28-year-old Olympian will not take part in any more global races this year.
“We are taking the rest of the year off,” said McKirdy.
“Four marathons in a 12-month period, all top-eight finishes, all focus races. The time for rest is needed,” he added.
Ramokongoana’s most recent triumph came last Sunday at the TCS Sydney Marathon, in Australia where he shocked the global running fraternity with a third-place finish in a blistering 2:06:47. The podium spot earned him a bronze medal and a cash prize of M706,000.
Upon his return to Lesotho on Wednesday, the star athlete received a hero’s welcome, beginning with a convoy from Moshoeshoe I International Airport to the Lesotho National Olympics Committee (LNOC) headquarters for reception and celebrations.
The Sydney Marathon, part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors, featured a world-class field. Ethiopia’s Hailemariam Kiros Kebede claimed victory in 2:06:06, followed closely by compatriot Addisu Gobena Aga in 2:06:16.
This latest medal capped a phenomenal year for Ramokongoana, who finished second at the Xiamen Marathon with a national record, took eighth in the Boston Marathon, secured third in Sydney to win his first World Major Marathon medal, and placed seventh at the Paris 2024 Olympics, achievements that earned him multiple World Athletics honours.
McKirdy stressed that the decision to rest is a strategic move to protect his athlete’s long-term career.
“It was a very long year of marathons and to try to race another would be a mistake. Tebello’s efforts mark another stepping stone for the people of Lesotho. It is not a bar of success, but rather a vision of what could be.”
Looking ahead, McKirdy revealed that Ramokongoana may take up non-competitive pacing duties in Cape Town later this year, focused on race development rather than competition.
The bigger target, however, is clear: qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, China.
“We will be selective in our focus of a next marathon. It’s possible we race an international half marathon in late 2025, but the bigger picture remains 2027.”
As Ramokongoana takes a well-earned break, Lesotho’s other athletes are making their mark. At the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban 10km Run on Saturday, 19-year-old Kamohelo Mofolo stormed to victory in 27:57, smashing the course record of 28:01 set by South Africa’s Kabelo Mulaudzi in 2023.
The teenager’s performance earned him M37,500 and marked a huge improvement on his third-place finish last year in 28:09.
Not to be outdone, Olympian Neheng Khatala produced a brilliant run in the women’s race, clocking 31:43 to set a new Lesotho national record. She secured second place and took home M30,000 in prize money.
Together, these performances highlight the growing momentum of Lesotho’s athletics, as both seasoned and emerging stars continue to lift the nation’s flag onto global podiums.
Summary
- Ramokongoana’s most recent triumph came last Sunday at the TCS Sydney Marathon, in Australia where he shocked the global running fraternity with a third-place finish in a blistering 2.
- Upon his return to Lesotho on Wednesday, the star athlete received a hero’s welcome, beginning with a convoy from Moshoeshoe I International Airport to the Lesotho National Olympics Committee (LNOC) headquarters for reception and celebrations.
- This latest medal capped a phenomenal year for Ramokongoana, who finished second at the Xiamen Marathon with a national record, took eighth in the Boston Marathon, secured third in Sydney to win his first World Major Marathon medal, and placed seventh at the Paris 2024 Olympics, achievements that earned him multiple World Athletics honours.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
