Lesotho prepared Mathibelle for win
‘Running is all I have known from young age’
Soweto Marathon champion Tshepo Mathibelle was conditioned from a young age to tackle long mountain treks in Maseru where travelling for hours was a common occurrence.
The Lesotho-born long distance runner was destined to take on long-stretch marathon routes with difficult terrains and landscapes from a tender age.
At the age of 10, Mathibelle was already comfortable walking for hours from village to village as a part-time shepherd.
“For me, a marathon race is easier especially if [the route] it’s flat because I have been through more testing terrain back home,” Mathibelle said.
“The difference between me and my peers was that I had pace.
“I was speedy and I would use it to my advantage, even when I looked after sheep. Running is all I have known from a young age.”
Mathibelle, 25, bagged himself a R220 000 cash prize for winning the popular 42km township race in a time of 2:19:41 at the weekend.
After finishing second last year, he came back better prepared this time to outrun former champion Sintayehu Yinesu, of Ethiopia.
It was Mathibelle’s fourth marathon in South Africa after having also competed in the Durban City Marathon in 2014 and the Heroes Marathon last year. He began his marathon career in 2012 where in the same year he qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London. Last year he also made the cut for the Rio Games but did not finish the race.
The soft-spoken Olympian has his eye on defending his title at the upcoming Heroes Marathon next month on December 3.
“I began my career running half marathons and crosscountry but now I am more comfortable with longer distances.
“I will take two weeks off and then start my preparations for the race in the Eastern Cape. It would be a great achievement for me to win it again.”
‘‘ For me, a marathon race is easier especially if it is flat