Teen sensation Kamohelo Mofolo, 19, ran like a man possessed through Durban’s streets, shredding the field and crossing the finish line of the Hollywoodbets 10km with the swagger of a champion .
The Lesotho prodigy stopped the clock at 27:58, torching the competition and pocketing R35,700 in South Africa’s richest 10km showdown.
Kingsmead Cricket Stadium roared as Mofolo, already his nation’s record-holder, streaked across the line, leaving 12,000 purple-and-yellow clad runners scattered in his wake.
“The plan was to win… I always believed I could,”
– Kamohelo Mofolo
A Mountain Kingdom Crown
With compatriot Tebello Ramakongoana, the 2024 champ missing, Mofolo ensured the Durban crown stayed in the Mountain Kingdom. Racing for Durban’s Xcel Running Club, he became the first teenager to stamp back-to-back Lesotho triumphs in this event.
Breaking Away Early
From the 2km mark, Mofolo surged like a sprinter on a downhill, opening daylight that never closed. Even when the coastal wind whipped across the course after 6km, dashing his hopes of a new national record (27:52), his lead was ironclad.
“I knew the record was gone in the wind, but I focused on holding my gap,” he admitted. Then, with a final kilometre of 2:40, he slammed the door on his rivals.
South Africa’s Best in His Wake
Kabelo “Mr Podium” Mulaudzi once again lived up to his nickname, grinding out second in 28:01.
“The race was tactical. Today belonged to Kamohelo, but I’m happy with my podium,” he conceded.
Thabang Mosiako chased hard, snapping at Mulaudzi’s heels for third in 28:03.
“Top three in 28:03. I’m over the moon,” he grinned.
A Calculated Gamble
Mofolo skipped the Tshwane 10km, a race he’d won last year, to save himself for Durban’s big stage. It was a tactical gamble worthy of a seasoned pro, not a teenager. And it paid off in gold.
“I chose to focus on Durban. Everything went as planned. This victory motivates me to push harder in the future.”
– Mofolo
Teenage Prodigy
On Durban’s flat, fast course, Mofolo announced himself as Southern Africa’s brightest new distance running prodigy. And at only 19, he’s already leaving seasoned rivals chasing shadows. The road ahead is wide open.
Male Top 10 Results:
1 Kamohelo Mololo 27:58
2 Kabelo Mulaudzi 28:17
3 Thabang Mosiako 28:25
4 Matlakala Bennett Seloyi 28:29
5 Bongelani Mkhwanazi 28:35
6 Cwenga Nose 28:41
7 Stephen Mokoka 28:46
8 Simon Sibeko 28:56
9 Siyabonga Ndlovu 28:59
10 Chris Mhlanga 29:07
