Mikia Kalati
Crack long distance runner, Motlokoa Nkhabutlane, is hoping to end the year on a high note by winning the Soweto and High Altitude Summer marathons.
This year’s edition of the Soweto Marathon is scheduled for 1 November, while the High Altitude event takes place on 5 December in Mokhotlong.
Nkhabutlane (30) won South Africa’s Two Oceans Marathon in April this year which carried a M250 000 prize, and says he would be gunning for two more major titles before the end of 2015.
“I have been hard at training because I want to return to South Africa for the Soweto Marathon and also be there for the High Altitude Summer Marathon,” Nkhabutlane told the Lesotho Times this week.
“I will run the 42.2 km race in Soweto and the half marathon at the High Altitude in Mokhotlong.”
Nkhabutlane admitted it would take “a lot of effort” to prevail in the two races, but remained optimistic of doing well in both.
“I failed to take part in another race held in Cape Town in September because of injury and I have not yet recovered fully,” said the marathoner.
“However, I still believe I will be ready for the two races.”
The veteran runner is a two-time winner of the Cape Town Two Oceans Marathon, but has not won the Soweto Marathon.
“I have continued to look after myself because that’s the only way to perform well and compete against the best runners from around the world.
“In fact every athlete needs to be disciplined and work hard in order to perform well.”