Mikia Kalati
MARATHON queen, Mamorallo Tjoka, will be in Mokhotlong in December to defend her High-Altitude Summer Marathon title despite an injury scare after she was recently involved in a car accident.
The Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association (LAAA) told this publication that Tjoka was recently involved in car accident but did not sustain any serious injuries and will be available for the country’s biggest marathon.
Tjoka won the female category of race in 2017 after she returned from a two-year drug suspension.
The veteran runner is also a record seven times Soweto Marathon winner (having won which years).
“Mamoroallo was recently involved in an accident but did not suffer any serious injuries may prevent her from defending her title,” Maphathe said.
“I have been told that she is in a good condition and will be at the race in December.”
Maphathe also revealed that they expect most of the country’s top runners to participate in the High-Altitude Summer Marathon.
“I think most of our top runners will be at the race to battle it out for the big prizes in Mokhotlong. I think the package is just to be big for our athletes to miss out on it.
“It is really important that our top athletes are at the race and do well as it has attracted those coming from other countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and South Africa,” he said.
The winners of this year’s race in the two categories will walk away with an improved M120 000 first prize monies.
The Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission (LSRC) recently announced improved prize monies for the annual race that will see winners in the main race pocketing a whopping M120 000 in the two categories.
They have also introduced a new 10km race which is aimed at developing of young athletes along with the 5km race that is only open for runners under the age of 18.
However, Lebenya Nkoka, who won the male category of last year’s edition of the race, told this publication that he is still undecided about defending his title in Mokhotlong.
“I have not made my mind as yet but I think I might not be competing in this year’s edition of the race,” Nkoka said.
