In April, the Kotelo Mbekeni Foundation helped the dreams of two of Border’s top runners bear fruition when they were sponsored to travel to the UK for the London Marathon.
London is one of the top five marathons in the world, some would suggest the top three, and Malixole Kalideni, a seasoned marathoner, along with Yanga Malusi, a marathon novice until his inaugural in September 2023, and running his second marathon in London, did themselves, their country and province proud finishing in 2:14:27 and 2:17:34 respectively.
Both were personal bests for the men from Qumrha and Gwadana Village (Dutywa.)
Brian Kotelo, who now lives and works in the UK, is visiting SA and organised a Community Development Run at the weekend in the Komani district, from whence he hails.
The objective of the project has been to give exposure to runners from the local community, while also bringing in top runners into their district for them to meet.
Invited were two of the all-time greats of Border and SA athletics, Monde Tutani and Makaya Masumpa, who both ran the race.
Two other runners who are winning or placing well at local races, Mcoseleli Luyaba and Mzoli Mpalala, were also invited to the event.
The race was a huge success, attracting runners from Bolton in England, East London, Mthatha, Cala, Ngcobo, Cape Town, Cacadu, Komani, Johannesburg, Tarkastad and numerous villages around Thornhill.
Kalideni and Malusi were present and in the field allowing the youngsters to appreciate what opportunities running offers.
The race was run at Mkhitha Primary School in eZola Village, Ntabethemba, Komani, and entry was free.
For the record, Malusi, who has in the past concentrated on shorter distances, came in first ahead of Macakathi Siphelele, Okuhle Nyude, Gift Chigomerawa and Wandisile Nobangela in the men’s race.
Kalideni came second in his age category, while former Two Oceans winner and Olympic Marathon athlete, Lungile Gongqa, another invitee, was second in the 40-49 age group behind Nicholas Ndabeni.
It is not often that Masumpa gets beaten in the 50-59 age group, but on this occasion, he was, by Zane Practic.
Likewise was the outcome in the 60+ age group, where Tutani had to settle for second behind Mzoli Mpalala.
The women were led home by Somila Ketani, who beat off the challenges of Zandile Rubushe, who also finished first in the veteran 40-49 bracket, Achuma Mpana, Hayi Milani and Wanda Gaba.
First in the 35-39 age group was Dabula Nomakholwa, in the 50-59 Patricia Mbajana, and in the 60-69 was Samuels Jennet.
The junior races would have been of specific interest to the foundation and the first girls in the 15-19 event in were Ketani Somila, Mpana and Mathole Ayakha.
In the boys’ race of the same age group, Nyude was first in and he is a talent of the future, as is Nobangela, who followed Lithemba Mpekana.
There were also races in the younger age categories.
“This is part of rural/village development, bringing running and support to underdeveloped communities,” Kotelo said.
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