Leemisa Thuseho
LAST year’s High-Altitude Summer Marathon (HASM) 21.1 kilometre winner in the male category, Jobo Khatoane, will on Sunday miss this year’s edition due to an injury.
Khatoane broke news to the Lesotho Times that although he wants to defend his title, would not travel to Mokhotlong due to a muscle injury.
He said he suffered the injury at the 42.2-kilometre Soweto Marathon on 3 November 2019 but he only realised after the race.
“Although I wanted to defend my title, I have not registered because I pulled a muscle in South Africa,” Khatoane said.
“The injury was diagnosed a week after the Soweto Marathon. However, I am confident that Letsekang Sekonyela will fight for the title to stay in Lesotho as he finished second last year.
“I wish them all the best and pray that they ensure the momentary prizes are won by locals.”
Khatoane started competing in the annual event in 2004 but his first win only came 11 years later in 2015. He also won the race in 2017.
The Mokhotlong based runner is again expected to defend his Royal Memorial Half Marathon title on 14 December in Mantšonyane.
“I am looking forward to defending the Mantšonyane Half Marathon on 14 of December and am anticipating that by then I would have recovered.”
In his already decorated trophy cabinet, Khatoane also added a Bocheletsane Half Marathon in February before scooping a gold medal at the Harray Gwala Marathon in South Africa.
He also came second at the 2019 Two Oceans Marathon in April before coming fourth at the Cape Verde African Beach Games in Sal Island in June this year.
Khatoane is the current Ced-Matat Heritage Half Marathon champion after winning it in South Africa in October this year before coming ninth in the Soweto Marathon.
