LOCAL champion (37), Stephen Mokoka set a new 50km world record of 2:40:13 on Sunday, March 6, at the Nedbank #Runified 50km run in Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth.
The Westville resident broke Ethiopian Ketema Negasa’s previous 50km world record of 2:42:07 at the same tournament in 2021.
The race’s leader led the field out in 1:21:03 to halfway at 25km, exactly matching the recent world record. At 35km, on the fourth of the race’s five 10km loops, Mokoka broke away from the field. In the end, he ran the back half of the race in 1:19:10, shaving one minute and 54 seconds off the existing world record.
“I am extremely happy and grateful to all those who pushed and supported me throughout this journey,” Mokoka said.
While Mokoka, is a three-time Olympian and has been running marathons for more than a decade, his record holder performance came in his 50km debut, making the record and negative split so much more astounding. He has previously received national titles in distances ranging from 1500m to the marathon.
Mokoka’s sponsor, Boxer, hosted an event for the champion on Monday, March 14 to celebrate his achievement. “I love that Boxer supports not just me but the entire team, they have invested in us and they have never let us down even when they were closed for business due to Covid-19. I am grateful to have joined their family,” he said.
To celebrate Mokoka’s success Boxer gifted him a R50 000 cheque at the event. According to Boxer’s group executive Ntombi Dudula, “This is a momentous achievement for Stephen, for the Boxer Athletics Club (BAC) and for Boxer. This victory, along with the many other incredible achievements our athletes in the BAC have achieved over the years reinforces our continued efforts to be the community champion as a discount supermarket.
“We believe in our teams, our communities and our company and like Stephen, we are working hard every day to do more for everyone. Stephen’s achievement has shown us that if we believe, we can achieve. Boxer is humbled and motivated by his victory!”
Mokoka added that he is appreciative for all the amazing people on his side and is excited for what the future holds for him.
