"I want top three" – Lucky Mohale ready for City2City

Lucky Mohale is setting his sights high for the City to City Ultramarathon on Sunday September 28, targeting nothing less than a top-three finish. The 50km test between Johannesburg and Pretoria has been on the Nedbank Running Club athlete’s radar for a while, since switching to the ultra last year, and this time, the 39-year old says he’s better prepared, smarter and hungrier than ever.

“I’m happy City2City is back. They invited me to run with them this year as part of my Comrades preparation. I will be happy with a top 10 finish in this race but I’m striving to finish on the podium,” he told #TheTopRunner.

Lucky Mohale is targeting a podium finish at the City2City 50km ultramarathon. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

Mohale is no stranger to the route, having assisted his former coach, veteran marathoner Johannes Kekana, with preparations for the same race which he won in 2012. That background coupled with the fact that he ran last year’s race and dropped out after halfway, he believes, gives him an edge, as he knows where the course punishes and where it rewards patience.

“I used to train on the route with Johannes Kekana when I lived in Klipfontein. He was also preparing for the race in 2014. We used this route for our long runs. I know it very well. I’m motivated because I know coach Kekana won it so I don’t think it’s going to be a big problem for me as long as I stick with Coach Mpolokeng’s programme. I will also seek advice from coach Kekana.”

Mohale battling with Siboniso Sikhakhane of the Entsika Athletic Club for second place at the 2025 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in April. Photo Credit: ABPhotoZ.

Earlier this year, Mohale was left frustrated after cramping during the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town where he claimed an unexpected third position on debut. Reflecting on that race, he admits he relied too much on his natural speed from shorter distances without doing enough long runs.

“The pace they ran wasn’t fast for me because we normally average sub-03:00min/km in the shorter distances. For me, to run 03:15 or 03:20min/km was easy but the distance was too far. We then sat down with the coach to reassess why I cramped. We realised I didn’t do enough long runs,” explained the top runner who hails from Limpopo but is based in Thembisa.

Mohale alongisde coach Piou Mpolokeng and Nedbank Running Club teammate Onnalenna Khonkhobe at the launch of the 2025 City2City Marathon. Khonkhobe will also be running the race. Photo Credit: Lifutso Mabua.

Together with his current coach Pio Mpolokeng, he has now corrected that mistake by putting in the mileage required for ultra-racing. Mpolokeng has drilled patience into Mohale’s race plan for Gauteng’s premier ultramarathon, cautioning him not to chase the lead until the 46km mark, where he will be waiting to give him the green light to surge.

“Remember I’m faster than most guys in the ultras. But coach told me to not lead the race until 46km. He’s going to wait at the 46km point, where he will give me the go ahead to take the lead.”