Murei settles for bronze at Nelson Mandela Bay half
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 29.06.25. | 10:05
The women's race was also won by an athlete from beyond South Africa's borders. Namibia's Lavina Haitope ran 1:14:11 to win ahead of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics' Busisiwe Chamane (1:17:07) and Lesotho's Malineo Mahloko (1:18:31)
On debut, Kenya’s Rodgers Murei clocked 1:02:00 to place third in this year’s Nelson Mandela Bay Half on Saturday, 28 June, the only Kenyan to make the podium in both the men's and women’s categories.
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The little-known runner with only two officially registered results on World Athletics, a 5000m 14:31.70 clocking and a 9:25.12 in the 3000m steeplechase, was making his debut in the half marathon.
The race was won by Lesotho’s 19-year-old Kamohelo Mofolo, continuing with the excellent form he has shown over the last twelve months, as he delivered a superb performance for victory.
He romped to a 60:52 victory on a windy day where the threat of overnight rain did not materialise, resulting in bearable conditions for long-distance running.
Mofolo's winning time was just 35 seconds shy of Olympic marathoner Tebello Ramakongoana's 60:17 national record, and almost a full minute clear of second-placed Daniel Paulus of Namibia, who crossed the finish line in 1:01:51, as Murei secured the final podium position.
The Xcel Running Club athlete's triumph is the latest in a string of world class performances which include a maiden sub 28 minute clocking (27:53) at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 11 May.
Answering questions on how he has been able to perform with such maturity, Mofolo says his challenging upbringing in rural Lesotho molded him into the athlete he is today.
Talking to TheTopRunner, the teenager says his decision to join American-based coach James McKirdy, who also coaches Ramakongoana, was motivated by his belief that the tactician would unlock global racing opportunities for him.
"We have been waiting for me to achieve certain milestones here in South Africa first before we can take the opportunity to compete overseas. I want to see myself competing overseas in 10km and 21km races. Then I can challenge the marathon once I turn 25 years old,” he offered.
Mofolo is the second Mosotho to win the race after Namakoe Nkhasi produced 1:01:01 to win the 2022 edition of the race in what was then a Lesotho national record.
Meanwhile, the women's race was also won by an athlete from beyond South Africa's borders. Namibia's Lavina Haitope ran 1:14:11 to win ahead of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics' Busisiwe Chamane (1:17:07) and Lesotho's Malineo Mahloko (1:18:31).
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