LIMPOPO – Well-known runner, Lutendo Maphoto of the Murray & Roberts Marathon Club, won the Capricorn District 4-in-1 Marathon which took place in Polokwane last Saturday. He finished the 42km race in 2:25:21.
He said that although the competition had been tough, he had been well prepared.
“What I like about this marathon is that, once you complete your race, you feel like you are on top of the world.”
Maphoto started running when he was 15 years old. At that stage, he was interested in many sporting codes, including soccer.
“As a young man I dreamed about being a good runner. I was encouraged by sportsmen such as Bethuel Netshifhefhe when he won the Two Oceans Marathon in 2007,” he said.
He completed the Comrades Marathon in August last year in 5:47:20, ending in the 10th position. The race was a downrun of close to 90km that started at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finished at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Almost 16 000 athletes participated.
Read more: 10th place Comrades finish for Vhembe’s Lutendo Mapoto
“Running my fifth Comrades was an incredible experience last year. I did not know what to expect, but finishing well inside the top 10 bracket was a dream come true. This year I hope to finish in the top five. I just hope I will be in the right frame of mind on the day of the race,” he said.
According to Maphoto, dedication and humility are the true hallmarks of a successful athlete.
“Some people will say that athletes who come from Limpopo suffer a lot and that’s why they do so well, but I don’t think of it like that. I think success comes from what you want in life. The most important thing is to be disciplined and humble and listen to your parents and your coach.”
He paid tribute to his family for helping him realise his dreams. “My mother was always behind me, guiding me. I am very grateful for that,” he said.
Maphoto promised his fans that he will also be giving his best effort at the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town in April.
