Qhubeka AC distance ace Kabelo Mwahla was left to rue what ‘might have been’ when an aggressive early strategy and a debilitating side stitch denied him a podium finish in the men’s half-marathon at the Fortress Running Series Evaton Run at Evaton Plaza on August 2.

Mwahla took the race by the scruff of the neck from the gun, opening a sizeable gap on the long stretch along the Golden Highway. However, the chasing pack of Sakhile Sangweni, Pule Sibeko, Mvula Patrick, Thabiso Mosikili and Gladwin Mzazi kept him within striking distance, sitting about 45 seconds behind.

Sangweni, winner of this year’s Colgate Race, launched his attack at the 5km mark before the turn onto the R551, with Mwahla, Sibeko, Patrick, Mosikili and Mzazi following in single file. Mzazi, who had battled with the morning chill in the opening stages, gradually began to increase the tempo.

As the race entered the second half, Mwahla was struck by a side stitch while Sangweni also began to fade. Sensing the moment, Mzazi surged clear, first dropping Patrick, Mosikili and Mwahla before dispatching both Sibeko and Sangweni to claim victory in 01:10:30.

Multiple Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon gold medallist Sibeko finished second, 24 seconds adrift in 01:10:53, while two-time Colgate Race champion Sangweni completed the podium a further 15 seconds back.

Despite clearly battling discomfort, Mwahla dug deep to hold on to fourth place. The Vila Liza resident crossed the line in a hard-fought 01:11:57.

The multiple Colgate 15km and Tommy Malone Race winner admitted it was not the performance he had hoped for but said he would take valuable lessons from the experience.

“I performed really well, but I’m not happy with my execution. I was supposed to do better than I did,” he said.

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Asked whether his decision to attack from the start was the right one, Mwahla referenced the Sesotho idiom Ho rwalla le sa sele, which encourages working hard early before challenges arise.

The tactic has brought him success in the past, but this time circumstances beyond his control proved costly, forcing him to slow to around 3:30/km over the closing kilometres.

“It was a good decision to attack from the start. Everything was on target until I suffered a side stitch after 17km. I was also overcome with exhaustion I have never felt before. I was forced to drop the pace to finish the race,” he said.

Cornelia Joubert completed a Boxer AC clean sweep after dominating a modest women’s field to secure her second title in 01:23:39. She was followed by Moleboheng Matlakeng of Maxed Elite Lesotho in 01:25:05, while veteran runner Rose Jijana finished third, 51 seconds behind Matlakeng.

Tshepo Gavu and Tshepang Mazibuko claimed the men’s and women’s 10km titles respectively, while Thabang Mokoena and Lebohang Radebe won the 5km fun run.

Backed by Fortress Real Estate, the series was founded by 1992 Two Oceans Marathon champion Israel Morake to bring professionally organised road races to communities that have traditionally had limited access to competitive athletics.

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