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THE TOP RUNNER
A behind the scenes look at South African athletics
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Dec 27, 20212 min read
'I had this dream to go to the Olympics but God had this other plan' - Paralympian Anika Pretorius
"It starts with believing in your dreams - for yourself." These was Anika Pretorius' words when she spent some time motivating youngsters...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Dec 7, 20212 min read
'I just tell myself to finish the session and you must pray - ask God to help you' - Precious Molepo
Precious Molepo will be one of the athletes to watch when the athletics programme gets underway at the African Union Sports Council...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Dec 6, 20212 min read
'I feel proud for finishing' - Irvette van Zyl after winning Nelson Mandela Bay 1 City Marathon
Irvette van Zyl described her first 42,2km outing since failing to complete the Olympic Marathon in August as 'very sour lemonade.' The...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Dec 3, 20212 min read
'Athletics has so much room to make things happen' - BackTrack Sports announce new athletics awards
As difficult as 2021 has been for the sports industry in general, South African athletes, administrators, coaches and several other key...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Nov 20, 20212 min read
'Today is not tomorrow and tomorrow is not today' - battle lines are drawn ahead of Cape Town 12k
"You win or you you die," were Morris Gachaga's words when asked about his approach to tomorrow's Absa CAPE TOWN 12K CITYRUN. Having won...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Nov 8, 20212 min read
'Sports is life. You can make a life for yourself out of sports' - Neheng who lives 500km from coach
This time last week Khatala Neheng was celebrating a new personal best after clocking 32:18 to finish as the runner-up at the Absa DURBAN...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Oct 16, 20213 min read
'The journey was hard but I’ve learned a lot. I sleep well these days' - Ramaala nominated for GSA
“I think I’ve figured it out!” Exclaimed the Entsika Athletic Club coach during an interview with #TheTopRunner. Hendrik Ramaala was...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Sep 16, 20212 min read
Urithi starts on road to develop future champions with sub 30 minute 10km challenge
As the lack of world South African class middle distance continues to be a matter for serious concern, one group of social runners have...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Sep 9, 20213 min read
Mphahlele says Mashele inspired him as he prepares to qualify for Oregon 2022 World Champs 1500m
Ryan Mphahelele says in qualifying for the Olympic Games on home soil, Precious Mashele inspired up and coming locally-based athletes by...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Sep 8, 20212 min read
'We need more role models that come from kasi' - Phora as he gives back
One of the most important arguments to emerge from the recent social media furore surrounding the racial makeup of South Africa's Olympic...
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Thathe Msimango
Sep 4, 20212 min read
'My dream came true' says Ntando Mahlangu as he pockets over R1 million for two gold medals
South African Paralympic sensation Ntando Mahlangu bagged his second gold medal of the Tokyo Paralympics yesterday, when he won the 200m...
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Thathe Msimango
Aug 18, 20212 min read
Xaba poised to make a statement as SPAR 10km Grand Prix returns on Sunday
Diminutive South African runner Glenrose Xaba aims to put a strong performance when taking part in the Maritzburg Spar Women's 10k race...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Aug 16, 20212 min read
SASCOC to consider prioritizing athletics and swimming in Olympic funding allocation
Following South Africa's disappointing showing at the recent Olympic Games, SASCOC has acknowledged that it may have to prioritize...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Aug 13, 20212 min read
'I'm disappointed because we wanted to win a medal for our country' - Elroy Gelant
For the first time since readmission, South Africa returned from an Olympic Games without winning an athletics medal. The disappointment...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Aug 6, 20212 min read
I didn't have time to practice exchanges with Clarence - Maswanganyi after Team SA 4x100m relay mess
As Team South Africa continue the hunt for a first athletics medal at #Tokyo2021, Shawn Maswanganyi has weighed in on the confusion that...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Aug 5, 20212 min read
Olympians expected to headline as SPAR Women's Grand Prix Series returns
As the athletics programme at #Tokyo2021 nears its end, the focus is shifting back to the local running scene. Organisers of the SPAR...
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Thathe Msimango
Aug 4, 20212 min read
Blignaut aims for top six as he becomes first SA athlete to make Olympic shot put final since 2000
Kyle Blignaut made history by becoming only the second South African to progress to an Olympic shot put final since Janus Robberts at the...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Aug 3, 20212 min read
'Anything is possible' says Precious Mashele as he makes Olympic debut
When Precious Mashele takes his mark for the heats of the men's 5000m today it will be as one of the less fancied runners in a field...
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Thathe Msimango
Aug 2, 20212 min read
Van Niekerk still in contention for a medal as he qualifies for semi-finals
The world's fastest man over 400m Wayde Van Niekerk produced a mature performance during the heats to book a place in the Olympic...
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Mosibodi Whitehead
Aug 1, 20212 min read
'Disappointed' Simbine looks to redeem himself in SA's 4X100m relay team
Akani Simbine admitted to being disappointed after finishing just outside the medals in today's Olympic 100m final. In the absence of the...
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