Mikia Kalati
Legendary marathoner, Thabiso Moqhali, says all is set for the country biggest race—the High Altitude Summer Marathon—scheduled for 6 December in Mokhotlong.
Moqhali, who clinched the marathon race at the 1998 Olympic Games held in Kuala Lumpur, and is organising the High Altitude Summer Marathon, added over 100 000 athletes had already registered for the event.
“Preparations to host the race are going very well and registration is open until 24 November,” Moqhali said.
“So far, over 115 000 athletes have registered to take part in different categories of the event, and most of them are foreigners.”
Moqhali said around M1.5 million had been budgeted for the race, which is traditionally sponsored by the Ministry of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation and Letšeng Diamond Mine.
“As you are aware, the competition consists of the main 42.2-kilometre marathon, the 21-km half-marathon and five-kilometre development race, and all these races will be staged on 6 December in Mokhotlong,” he said.
However, Moqhali expressed concern that Lesotho’s top runners had still not registered for the event.
“Unfortunately, our top runners are yet to register for the event, but I’m confident they will do so as there is still time,” said Moqhali, adding the prize money, especially in the main race, is still the same as last year.
“The winners of the main race, in both the male and female categories, will walk away with M100 000, just like last year,” he said. “A total of M800 000 of the sponsorship is for prize monies.”
Veteran local runner, Mabuthile Lebopo, was the winner of the male edition of the main race last year, while the female category was won by Asefa Chelitu Bogela of Ethiopia. Lesotho’s ‘Marathon Queen’, Mamoroallo Tjoka took second place.
Lebopo has already confirmed to the Lesotho Times that he would be defending his title this year.
