It felt like Kabelo Mwahla had just completed a marathon after conquering the undulating Sterkspruit hills during the Fortress Running Series Sterkspruit Run half-marathon on October 4.

The Qhubeka AC runner clocked 01:12:07 to finish fifth after tackling a hilly and meandering course that started just a few kilometres from the Telle Bridge Border Post, which separates Lesotho and South Africa, before finishing at the Sterkspruit Plaza.

“I’m happy with how I performed. It was my first time participating in this race. It felt like I had run a marathon. But I learnt many lessons and have also gained a lot,” said the Villa Liza resident.

Tshepang Mokhethi led a Lesotho podium sweep after dominating the race from the gun. He won in 01:07:14, with compatriot Tsietsi Sello second in 01:09:50. Kabelo Lesia completed the podium in 01:10:10.

In perfect running conditions, with a slight breeze coming from the Orange River Valley, Lesotho’s Mokhethi, Sello, Lesia and Badboy Toka took control from the start, with Mwahla and Olympian Tshepo Mathibelle following in single file.

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But the pack was soon reduced to Mokhethi and Sello as Lesia and Toka struggled on the hills. Mokhethi and Sello stayed together until the champion dropped his Maxed Elite Lesotho teammate just before the 10km mark.

The race was effectively over from there as no one in the field could respond to Mokhethi’s searing pace up the climbs. He ran unchallenged to the finish to clinch his first title after several attempts.

Mwahla, meanwhile, showed signs of strain on the steep climbs. He was sixth behind Mathibelle early on but found his strength at the first water point and surged past the Nedbank Lesotho athlete, who represented the Mountain Kingdom at the 2012 London Olympics.

He held on to fifth place, a place below his fourth-place finish at the Fortress Running Series Evaton Run in August.

Mwahla, who has won the Colgate Race 15km at Boksburg Stadium three years in a row, said the Sterkspruit race formed part of his training. He added that while the hilly course was vastly different from the flat Boksburg terrain he trains on, it helped build strength.

“The race was tough. It was part of my training for my upcoming races. It gave me some strength, and running on the hills will definitely help. Running against some experienced runners has also boosted my confidence,” Mwahla said.

The Fortress Running Series was founded by 1992 Two Oceans Marathon winner Israel Morake to identify and develop running talent in rural communities, giving athletes from these areas an opportunity to compete and gain valuable experience on the road-running circuit.

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