Leemisa Thuseho
THE spotlight returns to the streets of Maseru early May when the annual Alliance Hillbusterz Last Run Marathon takes centre stage.
Sponsored by Alliance Insurance Company and organised by Hillbusterz Athletics Club, the gruelling 60km uphill race is scheduled for 9 May 2026.
The race will start at Maseru Mall, proceed to Sehlabeng Sa Thuathe and then return to Maseru Mall.
Now in its third edition since its inception in 2024, the event remains the only ultra-marathon in the country.
Speaking at the race launch this week in Maseru, Alliance Insurance Manager for Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Limakatso Mokobocho, said the marathon serves as a key platform for local runners to prepare for major international races.
She said the Comrades Marathon, the world-famous and largest ultra-marathon, tops the list of international events and this local race helps athletes prepare for that.
This year’s Comrades Marathon will take place on 14 June and will feature an “Up Run” from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in South Africa.
“We have seen our runners hoisting our national flag in international competitions, so we felt it befitting to contribute to their success,” Mokobocho said.
“The main race we help local runners prepare for is the Comrades Marathon in South Africa.
“Apart from that, we are a company that insures people and human lives, and it is important for us to see people engaging in physical activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.”
While the flagship event is the 60km ultra-marathon, Mokobocho said the programme will also include supporting races over 21.1km and 10km distances. She encouraged both professional and social runners to register.
Hillbusterz Athletics Club vice-chairperson, Hlomphang Nkalai, said organisers have deliberately made the route more challenging this year to properly test runners ahead of the Comrades Marathon.
He explained that from Maseru Mall, runners will pass through Ha Hoohlo, Fokothi, Temong, Khubetsoana, Tšosane and Sehlabeng Sa Thuathe before returning to the starting point.
“We have identified a challenging route to ensure that the race becomes a real test for our runners,” Nkalai said.
Although the Comrades Marathon covers approximately 90km, Nkalai said organisers opted against matching that distance locally due to the potential risks involved.
“That distance would be highly risky for our runners. It could elevate the risk of injury, burnout and poor performance in the South African event,” he said.
He added that the time gap between the local race and the Comrades Marathon is sufficient for athletes to recover adequately.
Last year, the Alliance Hillbusterz Last Run Marathon attracted more than 386 participants, and organisers expect the number to grow significantly this year.
