'I want to see myself competing overseas' - Mofolo dominates NMB Half Marathon to win in sub 61

Continuing with the excellent form he has shown over the last twelve months, Kamohelo Mofolo delivered a superb performance to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon this morning (28 June). Lining up against a strong contingent of top runners from South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Kenya, the 19-year-old from The Mountain Kingdom proved too hot to handle as he romped to a 60:52 victory on a windy day where the threat of overnight rain didn’t materialise resulting in bearable conditions for long-distance running.

Mofolo's winning time was just 35 seconds shy of Olympic marathoner Tebello Ramakongoana 60:17 national record, and almost a full minute clear of second placed Daniel Paulus of Namibia, who crossed the finish line in 1:01:51, as Kenya's Rogers Munei clocked 1:02:00 to secure the final podium position.

Mofolo celebrates victory in a new personal best. Photo Credit: NMB Half Marathon.

The Xcel Running Club athlete's triumph is the latest in a string of world class performances which include a maiden sub 28 minute clocking (27:53) at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 11 May. Answering questions on how he has been able to perform with such maturity well before his 20th birthday, Mofolo says his challenging upbringing in rural Lesotho moulded him into the athlete he is today.

"I grew up in tough circumstances. But that's where I learnt discipline. I'm not one to go out at night because that's how I grew up. I grew up training and knowing that I should be home before sundown. So some of the money I win goes to home improvements. I renovated our family home and built myself a small house," said the 2024 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K champion.

Mofolo and Haitope receive their winner's cheques from NMB Municipality MMC for Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Cllr. Sinebhongo Kwatsha. Photo Credit: NMB Half Marathon.

Armed with a new personal best and R40 000 richer after his efforts in the Gqeberha beach-front suburb of Summerstrand today, Mofolo can feel the dream of European and America competition becoming real. Talking to #TheTopRunner, the teenager revealed that what motivated his decision to join American-based coach James McKirdy, who also coaches Ramakongoana, is the belief that McKirdy will unlock global racing opportunities for him.

"We have been waiting for me to achieve certain milestones here in South Africa first before we can take the opportunity to compete overseas. I want to see myself competing overseas in 10km and 21km races. Then I can challenge the marathon once I turn 25 years old."

Mofolo is the second Mosotho to win the race after Namakoe Nkhasi produced 1:01:01 to win the 2022 edition of the race in what was then a Lesotho national record. The women's race was also won by an athlete from beyond South Africa's borders. Namibia's Lavina Haitope ran 1:14:11 to win ahead of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics' Busisiwe Chamane (1:17:07) and Lesotho's Malineo Mahloko (1:18:31).

From Left: The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's Executive Mayor, Cllr. Babalwa Lobishe, Mike Mbambani and the MMC for Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Cllr. Sinebhongo Kwatsha. Photo Credit: NMB Half Marathon.

The NMB Half Marathon proved once agin to be the country's premiere 21km race assembling a pan-African field of top runners on a course which has been praised by World Athletics for delivering fast times. Race Director Mike Mbambani says it's a testament to the quality of their organisation and the city's backing.

"With this event we bring competition to our doorstep and give our athletes in Nelson Mandela Bay the opportunity to perform against top competitors on our flat and fast course. We've managed to build our flagship event with a strong LOC, to attract the crème de la crème of athletes."