Lesotho athletes dominate in Sterkspruit as hundreds of kids take part in final instalment of the 2026 Fortress Running Series

Lesotho’s Tshepang Mokhethi made light work of the hilly course to win the Fortress Running Series Sterkspruit Run men’s half marathon on Sunday 4 October, while his compatriot Reitumetse Thethana faced little challenge on her way to the women’s title.

In perfect running conditions and with a slight breeze coming from the Orange River valley, the Maxed Elite Lesotho athlete tackled the uphill sections of the course with relative ease to dominate a modest men’s field packed with talent from the neighbouring Mountain Kingdom.

The race, which started a few kilometres from the Telle Border Post which separates South Africa from Lesotho, got off to a flyer as the Lesotho quartet of Mokhethi, runner-up Tsietsi Sello, Kabelo Lesia and Badboy Toka grouped themselves upfront, with Moeketsi Mosuhli, veteran and Olympian Tshepo Mathibelle and Kabelo Mwahla of Boksburg-based Qhubeka AC, following in single file.

But the leading pack was soon brought down to two as Lesia and Toka couldn’t manage the searing pace set by Mokhethi and Sello, who hung together until Mokhethi dropped his Maxed Elite teammate just before the 10km mark. From there, the race was effectively over as Mokhethi opened a gap with each stride to ultimately win his first Fortress Sterkspruit Run title in 01:07:14.

“I know the course very well. From the start, I had planned to go with a pace that would carry me to the finish. Once I started, I managed to maintain until I finished. I’m so happy. It’s my first win here. I have always participated in this race and would always place in the top five. Today is my first win,” he said.

Mokethi led a Lesotho podium sweep after Sello, who also showed tremendous strength on the hills, crossed the line in 01:09:50 to settle for second place, while Lesia completed the top three in 01:10:10.

Nedbank Lesotho’s Thethana’s only challenge in the women’s race was her countrywoman Maneo Maseli of Maxed Elite. The two stuck together in the opening few kilometers but Thethana looked the strongest as she soon left Maseli on the first climb and that decisive move would carry the Nedbank athlete to the title in 01:28:39.

Maseli, who finished second in the Minet Independence Marathon 10km race in Maseru 24 hours earlier, clocked 01:29:10 for the runner-up spot, while Martha Rantsane finished third in 02:06:36.

“I didn’t think I would win because I recently ran a tough race. At times I could feel my muscles straining but by the grace of God, I managed to finish. My coach, Tshepo Mathibelle, told me to take it easy on the hills, I did that and I won. I’m happy,” said Thethana.

In the 10km event, Lesotho’s Thabo Lebakeng (31:31) and Ntebaleng Letshela (48:34) won the men’s and women’s races, while Sterkspruit upcoming athletes Lithabo Masiu and Lathitha Munyu were victorious in the 5km fun run.

The series, which kicked off in Thohoyandou on 6 June before stops in Vryheid in July and Evaton in August, concluded in style in the remote Eastern Cape Town, which is nestled inside the Maluti Mountain range. While the 21.1km and 10km races attracted seasoned athletes, a field of roughly 400 schoolchildren and around 100 adults, mostly grannies carrying canes, filled the 5km event which proved to be the highlight of the day. Race Director Dorah Mgwevu was impressed with the number of local youths in the 5km, saying it is a sign that the community’s young people are embracing the sport.

“I’m happy about the success of this event. When we speak about rural development, this is where we are supposed to be walking the talk by coming here and exposing the children to athletics. Today, we had over 400 children participating. This is heartwarming for the series and our sponsor Fortress Real Estate. Their vision is to see children and seniors run for free. It’s about giving back to the community. It’s what we are also trying to do as ISMO AC,” Mgwevu said.

Series founder, Israel Morake, who was born in Sterkspruit before leaving in 1975 to pursue running in Gauteng, was overcome with emotion when asked to share his views on the success of the event.

“It makes one become emotional when we see such programmes bring upon change. I want to thank the community of Sterkspruit for coming out today. I believe that everyone now understands that sports can change lives. The only thing we have to do is to unite and work together,” said the former Two Oceans Marathon champion.

Mampie Matlotlo, the sport development coordinator in the local municipality, thanked the organisers for exposing the community to athletics.

“In the rural areas, we don’t have running clubs. With the Fortress Running Series coming here, it’s exposing our people to the sport of athletics because we don’t have any other marathons or races in Sterkspruit,” Matlotlo said.

The Fortress Running Series embodies Fortress’ commitment to supporting the communities surrounding the areas where they operate their shopping centres. Vuso Majija, Executive Director of Fortress Retail, explains that this event is just one of many ways in which Fortress Real Estate continues to give back to its customers. “We put our customers first by providing a safe shopping and lifestyle space. Our centres play an important role in our customers lives: we offer convenience, value for money and improve their quality of life by bringing modern services closer to them.”