Mokoka downplays missed South African national marathon record

By Charles Baloyi
3rd March 2023

South African long-distance runner Stephen Mokoka is delighted to have achieved a lifelong dream despite missing out on a new national record by just nine seconds.

The 38-year-old runner secured a fifth-place finish at the Osaka Marathon in Japan, clocking 2:06:42 seconds missing the South African record held by Gert Thys, who recorded a time of 2:06:33 back in 1999.

"People are talking about me missing the national record by nine seconds, but I am not bothered by that. I did not go to Osaka to try and break the national record," Mokoka told SABC Sport.

Back in 2020, Mokoka and his coach Michael Seme had jotted down a 10-year plan for him to run a time of 2:06, but just three years later the 38-year-old has already hit his target.

"In 2020, we set a 10-year plan to run at 2:06, but we achieved that feat three years later. I never thought I could run a 2:06, and I had given up on that dream," he added.

"I still cannot believe it took 13 years, and I am over the moon. If the national record comes, it will come, but I will never go into a race targeting it."

Mokoka broke the tape in 2:09:58 to win his third Cape Town Marathon title in October last year – his last race before he went to Japan, and he is proud to have cut over three minutes off his time in the space of only four months.

"I was surprised when the coach told me not to stop training after winning the Cape Town marathon. He told me it was time to attempt that goal of 2:06, and that we should not take a break," Mokoka explained.

"I never rested after the marathon in Cape Town, and now we will go back to the drawing board to plan for my next marathon. I have a top coach in [Michael] Seme, and he knows what he is doing."

His next target is now to run a 2:05 before he hangs up his running shoes.

“My next marathon will take place in a few months, we still have to confirm a few details. I have not decided about defending my title in the Cape Town Marathon in September [yet], but my personal goal is to run 2:05," he added.

"That is my biggest wish. If I managed to run a 2:02 and join the big boys club, that would be a top achievement, but I am happy to attempt 2:05 before I retire."