Stephen Mokoka relishing World Half-Marathon Championships return

Mokoka, 38, made his debut in the bi-annual 21km global championship arena in Brazil back in 2008 and has since become a consistent presence, representing Team SA in a variety of international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. 

READ: James Moloi defends Team SA's World Championships failure

As the eldest among the twelve-member team who journeyed to Europe for this event, which includes 21km, 5km, and 1.6 mile races, Mokoka has been quietly but diligently preparing for yet another significant international challenge. 

"I'm not sure, but it's [been] a few times – I think my first World Half was in 2008 in Brazil, which was the worst finish, I think, in 65th position," reflected Mokoka, speaking to SABC Sport.

"The previous one [in 2020] I was seventh, the events before that [in 2018] I was 15th and 12th [in 2016], so for me, I'm just hoping I can have a good day and race.

"Preparing for a marathon and half marathon in the same period is not ideal, but we felt I should go and try again at the World Half, because the last time we did it was in 2020 so I'm going there to give my best shot and see how everything unfolds."

In his preparations for the upcoming event in Latvia, Mokoka recently took part in the Absa Run Your City Durban 10km race, which served as a crucial component of his training routine.

He is also strategically using the World Championships as a pivotal stepping stone in his preparations for the defence of his title at the Cape Town Marathon, which is scheduled for October 15.

"After my last race, I think in Durban, we had to go back to the drawing board because my preparation for this World Half [Champs] is also combined with my marathon preparation," he noted.

"So, I had to put mileage in the body and try to do the specifics because half marathon and marathon programmes are slightly different, so I've been working on training only."

READ: Elroy Galant optimistic ahead of World Half Marathon Champs