Leemisa Thuseho
OLYMPIANS, Tebello Ramakongoana and Neheng Khatala, are winners of each the female and male classes of the fourth version of the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km race.
They every received first prizes of their respective classes after their premium performances within the occasion that came about at Kings Park Outer Fields within the South African metropolis.
Ramakongoana emerged winner of the male class after clocking in at 28:06, beating one among the race’s favourites, Elroy Gelant, a South African who settled for second place with 28:07.
They have been followed intently by Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo who secured the third spot within the time of 28:09.
For the victory, Ramakongoana earned M37 500 whereas Gelant and Mofolo settled for M30 000 and M27 500 respectively.
That was Ramakongoana’s first official race on the again of his historic achievement on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, from 26 July to 11 August.
Ramakongoana made historical past there, ending in the highest 10 of the 42.2 km males’s marathon.
That was the primary time a Lesotho runner had ever completed in the highest 10 on the Olympic Games.
To be actual, he completed in place 7 setting Lesotho’s new nationwide document of a time of two:07:58 in that gruelling race.
In a temporary post-race media interview, Ramakongoana advised journalists that he had entered the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km on Sunday to take a look at his physique since coming back from the Olympics.
“After tough competition at the Olympic Games, I came here (Hollywoodbets Durban 10km) to test my body and I am happy to have won,” Ramakongoana stated.
Ramakokoana additional indicated that the triumph was not a stroll within the park, admitting the sector was very sturdy.
“The field was very strong…at the start, I told myself that I’m going to lead from the front. The competition was very tough, so I had to stick close to those good guys,” Ramakongoana stated.
“The first 2km was quick. Then afterwards, the wind by the ocean was too sturdy and the tempo slowed. At 6km, I made a decision to surge. Most of the blokes didn’t reply and that’s when I realised that it’s all in my arms if I would like to win the race.
“In the end, I am very happy to have won even though I had planned to run the 10km national record. It didn’t come because of the wind.”
He stated he was completely satisfied for the win, additional indicating that this had been one among his greatest years of his profession.
“This has been a great year, and I hope to maintain this standard next year,” Ramakongoana stated.
The win was additionally a large enhance for Ramakongoana forward of the Mountain Marathon 21km race on 26 October 2024 in Qacha’s Nek.
The begin might be at Ha-Noosi village whereas the end line is ready for Melele Ground.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Durban 10km race, additionally noticed prime native feminine runner, Khatala, steal the present to win the ladies’s class in a time of 32:25.
South Africa’s Cacisile Sosibo completed second in 32:48 time, whereas Lesotho’s Mokulubete Makatisi rounded out the rostrum in 33:06.
Speaking to the media after the race, Khatala was additionally completely satisfied with the victory, particularly after the difficult week she had within the lead as much as the day.
“I am very happy to have won the race. In my mind, I didn’t see myself as the winner,” she stated.
“On Monday, I visited the doctor as I was feeling sick (didn’t disclose what she was suffering from). Then I didn’t train for three days as I was on antibiotics. I only managed to do a little bit of training before the race. So, winning is pleasant especially because it was unexpected.”