Papo targets shorter distances as Soweto Marathon boardroom politics leave runners in limbo

Uncertainty has become the toughest rival for distance runner Lesetja Papo this season. With the delay in the confirmation of the City to City Ultramarathon race date which was only officially published last week and this year's Soweto Marathon hanging in limbo due to boardroom politics, the 29-year-old has been forced to rip up his training schedule and redraw his goals. What was meant to be a meticulously planned season has turned into a test of adaptability, patience and resolve for the Maxed Elite athlete, who finished fourth during the 2024 edition of The People's Race.

Papo (far right) in action during the 2024 Soweto Marathon. He has decided to skip the 30th edition of The People's Race due to uncertainty around it's scheduling. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

"With City to City taking so long to be confirmed, my coach and I have changed our plans. We will now focus on the shorter distances," he told #TheTopRunner.

Papo's decision to target the shorter distances yielded positive results at the Old Eds Road Race with Discovery Vitality at the Old Edwardian Sports Club in Houghton, on August 10. 

In a tight men's half-marathon, the Tsakane resident clocked 1:07:54 for second place, finishing three seconds behind the winner, Lucky Mohale from the Nedbank Running Club.

While he admitted it was not his day, the athlete, coached by Lesego Mabitsela, expressed pride in his performance, while also lauding Mohale for a great battle on the route.

Papo (second, left) finished second in the men's 21.1km at the Old Eds Road Race. He's with winner Lucky Mohale, third placed Kabelo Melamu and Bright Mikolongwe (left) who was fourth. Photo Credit: SMacPix.

Despite not racing in a while, the runner, who boasts a 2:12:24 marathon best, has proved there's no rust in his legs. He won the men's 10km events in the fourth and sixth CGA Cross-Country league meetings, before tackling the Old Eds race.

"It shows that all the work we are doing with my coach and teammates is taking us in the right direction. I'm happy with my second place. I wanted to win. Unfortunately, it was not my day. But it was a great battle with Lucky on the day," Papo said. 

Lesetja leads the men's 10km during the fourth CGA cross-country league meeting in Daveyton. Behind him are Zenzile Pheko, Sibusiso Msibi and Ryan Mphahlele. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

After clocking 2:14:27 for seventh at the Durban International Marathon on May 4, Papo participated in the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) half-marathon champs on June 14 but did not finish. He then shifted his focus to preparing for the marquee races at the back end of the year, but those plans have been scuppered by boardroom battles which now seem to suggest that even if the Soweto Marathon does go ahead it may not be on it's traditional first Sunday of November.

Asked what keeps him consistently challenging for podium positions, he said, "Hard work and dedication yield the desired results. I will continue to work hard and dedicate myself to improve."