SA Runners Make History

History was made on Sunday, when the South African senior men’s team finished on the podium at the World Half Marathon Championships. Thabang Mosiako (6th), Stephen Mokoka (11th), Elroy Gelant (13th) and Precious Mashele (19th) claimed the bronze medal behind Kenya and Ethiopia at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Latvia.

Mosiako’s exceptional performance secured the bronze medal yesterday and he is now only the third SA man to break 60 minutes as he set a new career best of 59:52, and an Eastern Province record, for sixth place in a race where the Kenyan trio of Sabastian Sawe (59:10), Daniel Ebenyo (59:14) and Samwel Mailu (59:19) swept the podium.

Ebenya won the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10KM in April this year, and Mosiako’s fantastic time was just one second short of team-mate, Stephen Makoko’s, SA record. Mosiako won his maiden national 21km title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon this year, while breaking 28 minutes over 10km for the first time when he claimed third place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K.

Thabang was thrilled and grateful with this team victory.

“I would like to thank my coach, Michael Mbambani, the Ikhamva group and Nedbank running club, for their support and Athletics South Africa for helping make this happen, we are proud of our results today,” said Mosiako.

Mosiako, 28, is based in Gqeberha training with Michael Mbambani who is over the moon with this team medal award.

“It feels like a dream, said Mike.

“I must thank the entire group, they have been fitting like hand and glove and this medal is the result of hard work, commitment, and perseverance.

“Thabang’s family are in the North-West but he is training in the Eastern Cape.

“We are showcasing that this is not a fluke, this is reality, and we are delivering results.

“Congratulations to Thabang and team South Africa for winning the Bronze medal,” added Mbambani.

Galant, who clocked a personal best 1:00:56 for 13th position, added his excitement with the team achievement.

“I am excited for the team. We said two months prior to this that we believed we could get a team medal. So the belief of knowing that we were capable of getting a team medal pushed me even when I fell off the pace. I told myself that I can’t let my country down because the last 5kms I was tired but I was thinking of that team medal,” said an elated Galant.