Tembisa athlete trains for Comrades Marathon
Tembisa athlete aims to compete in the Comrades Marathon.
Mohale Ishmael Rakgwatlha, a Tembisa-based athlete, aims to win big at this year’s Comrades Marathon on June 9.Rakgwatlha was born in Tzaneen, Limpopo, and went to Femane Primary School where he was motivated to embrace his talents and maybe, one day, enter the Comrades Marathon.
Rakgwatlha said he never thought he would get this far with running.
“In Grade One I was introduced to sports and I started playing soccer, cricket and then athletics. We also participated in schools district competitions,” said Rakgwatlha.
He attended Ramaolwane High School and Mashao High School. He didn’t partake in sports in high school until Grade 10 when he took an interest in volleyball.
“I was motivated again to partake in athletics because the athletes went on trips and came back with medals. I was in love with rugby as well,” said Rakgwatlha.
After high school, he enrolled at Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) for a short course doing carpentry, while still doing athletics training sessions. While training he was spotted by a resident who invited him to join them for a 10km marathon, which he refused.
In 2016 he moved to Gauteng where he met Nicolas Makgatho, who took him to Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa. Makhatho started training with Rakgwatlha.
In 2018 he joined Tembisa Athletics Club where he started running competitively. His first marathon was the 42.2km Jackie Gibson Marathon, which he completed in three hours and 38 minutes.
Rakgwatlha said this motivated him because he saw where he was heading.
“I then started preparing for the 2018 Comrades Marathon,” said Rakgwatlha.
“I qualified to participate. I was frightened by the number of participants and the excitement, but raced anyway and finished in seven hours, 34 minutes and 37 seconds.
“I also ran the 42.2km Jacaranda City Challenge and finished in three hours and 23 minutes.
“I thank God for all this because I couldn’t believe I’ll make it. I kept telling myself I’ll make it in the name of Lord Jesus Christ,” said Rakgwatlha.
