'I just wanna enjoy myself' - Monnatlala targets strong showing Milan

Buoyed by the performance of his training partner Elroy Gelant who clocked 2:08:20 at the Osaka Marathon on 22 February, Tumisang Monnatlala sees no reason why he shouldn’t have a memorable 42km outing when he lines up at the Milan Marathon in Italy on 12 April. Yet the former SA 3000m steeplechase champion's transition from the track to the road has been anything but conventional because although Monnatlala hs competed in more ultra marathon races than he has over the standard marathon.

"My first 50km was the N12 Marathon," he said reflecting on his 2:56:06 fifth place finish at the 2025 N12 50km Ultra Marathon run between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp in the North West Province. "I actually thought it would be harder after the 42km mark. But then the guys were only running 3:30-3:20 minutes per kilometre so it wasn't too bad. Then City 2 City was different because on the downhills they were flying and that’s where I found it difficult. These guys run harder on the downhills."

Monnatlala has been competing extensively on the road since calling time on his steeplechase career. Here he is seen representing Athletics Central North West at the 2025 ASA Half Marathon in Phalaborwa where he clocked 1:07:00 for 12th position. Photo Credit: Supplied.

That 24th place finish (3:05:59) run on a very hilly 50km route between Johannesburg and Pretoria forced the 30-year-old to reassess his career. After consultation with his coach Jean Verster and team mate Gelant at the Potch Track Club, the trio decided that Monnatlala would take a step back.

"For me the track was easier than the road because on the road you get lots of different people whereas on the track it's just those few guys. I would find maybe an Ashley (Smith) or a (Siboniso) Soldaka," he told #TheTopRunner. "So we sat down with Elroy and the coach in November and we talked about this. I decided to focus on the marathon this year and after some time I’ll go back to the ultras."

Monnatlala is one of South Africa's most successful 300m steeplechasers boasting a personal best of 8:33.02. Photo Credit: David Papenfus.

It's a decision that has left the Vorentoe High School alumnus feeling much more at ease about the season ahead. Pointing to SA Record holder (2:05:36) Gelant's mercurial marathon performances over the last two years which include five sub 2:10 clockings, Monnatlala is confident of delivering a solid run in Italy, saying it's less about his finishing time than it is about the overall experience.

"I won't put any pressure on myself. I'm just gonna go there and follow the pace. I'm feeling alright. So far so good. Everything has been going well. My training partner ran 2:08 recently. He's the one who motivates us each and every day. He's there for all of us.  I don't wanna say 2:10, 2:08 or 2:09 - no, no, no. It's my debut so I just wanna go and enjoy myself."