Stephen Mokoka reflects on longevity after Hollywood Athletics Club honour
14th February 2026
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Stephen Mokoka says retirement is far from his thoughts after being named Gauteng Male Athlete of the Year at the Hollywood Athletics Club awards in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The four-time Olympian, who has competed at the highest level for more than two decades, received special recognition from the Purple Club and used the occasion to reflect on the discipline and structure that have sustained his career.
Discipline and staying away from things the body cannot handle is important for me. To last long in this sport, you must agree to be led before you can lead. Learn to listen and follow others for a long time. Start with cross country and track before jumping into long-distance events,” Mokoka told SABC Sport.
He also urged young athletes to respect the development pathway and prioritise education.
“School is very important and I always encourage kids to go to school and equip themselves with education because sport is a short-term career. It’s important to have something to fall back on,” he said.
Mokoka confirmed he will not line up for the 56km ultra-marathon at the Two Oceans Marathon this year, opting instead to compete in the 21.1km half-marathon in April. He admitted the ultra-distance has been challenging, revealing that even when he managed to finish last year, it took everything out of him.
“I am not retiring and will continue for as long as my legs carry me. I will focus on the Cape Town Marathon and the 21.1km at Two Oceans this year. My biggest moment in my 20 years of running was winning the national 10,000m title in 2016 in Durban and finishing the Olympic marathon in Paris 2024. That meant a lot to me after failing to complete the marathon at Tokyo 2020,” he said.
Reflecting on his latest accolade, Mokoka said he feels humbled to still be earning recognition at this stage of his career, proving that longevity in athletics is built on patience, discipline and respect for the process.
