Aubrey Setlhare (25) of Roodepoort Athletics Club once again showcased his endurance and mental fortitude, crossing the line first overall in the 32km event at the Cradle of Humankind Race.

The race took place on May 9, and Setlhare crossed the finish line in 01:52:26, beating his previous record of 02:00:02, which he obtained at Rand Athletic Club (RAC).

Over the past year, Setlhare has shown consistency and massive improvement in his running career, and he is slowly becoming a name to watch for podium finishes.

“I was very surprised and happy at the same time to see my time improve,” he said, beaming with pride, adding that the Cradle’s long hills tested his mettle and proved he’s capable of running fast.

“Going into the race, I changed my training plan and incorporated the 80–20 rule. 80% of my training focused on long, easy, and tempo runs, while 20% was strictly speed and hill work.”

“I was doing at least 80km a week,” he said.

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Setlhare joined the club in August last year, but said he’s always been a runner at heart since a very young age.

He ran his first-ever marathon at the Run Zone Joburg North Marathon earlier this year, finishing 14th overall in 2:54:42, a time considered excellent for a debut.

Despite coming from a disadvantaged background, Setlhare expressed gratitude to club members who continue to sponsor his races and encourage him to compete.

“They encouraged me to enter this race and said I had a good chance of winning,” he said. “I’m looking for any kind of sponsorship, whether it’s running shoes, race entries, or nutrition. My ultimate goal is to turn professional and become more competitive.”

Looking ahead, Setlhare is making the most of the cross-country season, which started on May 16, and hopes to use it to build momentum.