Seabata Mahao
Lesotho’s veteran marathon runner, Teboho Sello, claimed the sole gold medal for locals at the recent Comrades Marathon, finishing eighth in the grueling 88-kilometre ultra-marathon.
Known as the Ultimate Human Race, this year’s edition was dominated by Piet Wiersma from the Netherlands, who crossed the finish line in 5:25:00 hours.
Sello stood out among the challengers in this uphill battle from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal Province, completing the course in 5:36:11 hours and securing his place in the top 10 bracket eligible for gold medals.
This achievement marks not the first time Sello has finished within the top 10 of this prestigious event, having secured seventh place with a time of 5:24:23 hours in 2023.
Also, he is the only Mosotho marathoner who came out in the top 10 and the only marathoner who completed the marathon. His fellow countryman, Jobo Khatoane, who led in the early stages of the race, dropped out after suffering a suspected injury.
While Wiersma may have conquered the race, South African runner, Dan Mosalakwe followed him in hot pursuit in second place with a running time of 5:25:45 hours. Mosalkwe was then followed by Ethipian, Degafe Lefebo with a finishing time of 5:27:48 hours.