"This is the best year of my athletics career" - Cijimpi Moloi wins Mangosuthu 52km as Muruiki dominates

Phantane Athletics Club elite athlete Samuel Cijimpi Moloi delivered a remarkable 03:02:49 performance to outclass a top class field and win the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi 52km on a perfect day for running in Zululand. Run between the northern KwaZulu-Natal towns of Dundee and Nquthu, Moloi took the lead before halfway, with a pack including the likes of Two Oceans podium finisher Siboniso Sikhakhane trailing in his wake. The man who is coached by Mdu Khumalo proved too strong as he was first across the finish line at the Nquthu Sport field to the delight of the crowd. 

The top runner who hails from Nquthu, described the victory as a wonderful experience, made even more special by the fact that he won the race in his hometown.

"I'm happy to win the race especially in front of my family and home crowd,” he told #TheTopRunner. “I would say it is a dream come true for me as I have been trying to win the race in the past," explains Moloi, who took fourth position at the 2025 City to City Marathon and led this year’s Comrades Marathon before dropping out around halfway.

Moloi leading the 2026 Comrades Marathon while climbing Field's Hill. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

"In the past, I have seen that staying with the bunch until the latter stages of the race didn't work for me. So this time, I came with a new strategy to lead early and force my competitors to pick up the pace,” he explained.

“Our plan with the coach was actually to use the race as a training ruin. I was meant to drop out at the 40km mark. But when I reached 40km, I was still feeling strong. I communicated with the coach who instructed me to push and see how I will finish. I then listened to him and ended up winning the race. The final 10km of the race is very hard and challenging but I'm happy that I managed to hang on and finish strong.”

The 32-year-old Moloi earned R100 000 for his winning performance, while Siphamandla Nkosi took the runner-up spot after finishing in 03:05:00 to secure a cheque of R50 000. Lesotho’s Teboho Noosi clocked 03:05:40 for third to claim a R25 000 cash prize. Moloi stated that his strategy of taking an early lead was deliberate, as he had previously experienced setbacks from staying with the pack of athletes for too long.

Moloi alongside coach Mdu Khumalo (centre) whom he credits for his 2026 success. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Today's (Sunday 16 August) victory is another feather in the cap of a man who is currently enjoying a productive 2026 season. He achieved wins in the Sydenham 16km and Baldwin Half Marathon, with his standout performance being his personal best time of 02:11:31 at the Durban International Marathon in May, where he finished as the runner-up. Moloi says things changed after he joined Phantane AC and coach Khumalo at the beginning of the year.

"So far, I would say this is the best year of my athletics career. This all happened after I took the decision to start training under coach Khumalo. To be under the guidance of a person like him who has passion and knowledge of the sport helps a lot. I must thank him for polishing into better athlete.”

In the women's race, Kenyan athlete Shelmith Muruiki continued to demonstrate her exceptional dominance at the event organised in honour of late IFP Founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, when she won her fourth consecutive race in an impressive 03:24:49. Muruiki's outstanding performance saw her finish nearly 13 minutes ahead of 2026 Comrades Marathon Runner-up Nobuhle Nobukhosi Tshuma (03:37:48), while Jenet Mbhele secured third place with a time of 03:40:32.