'I'm so happy' - Mosiako reflects on dream marathon debut

2024 will go down in the annals of South African Athletics as one of the most productive if not the best season for marathon running. Glenrose Xaba set a new national record on debut, while Cian Oldknow ran the third fastest time of any SA woman over the 42,2km distance, and no less than five men dipped under 2:10. Adam Lipschitz clocked the fastest time of the season when he ran 2:08:45 at the Valencia Marathon a week ago, Elroy Gelant produced 2:08:56 and 2:09:32 to win the SA Marathon title, while Matthews Leeto (2:09:47) and veteran Stephen Mokoka (2:09:52) also crossed the finish line in 2:09 behind Gelant at the Durban International Marathon.

And with just two weeks left in the year, Thabang Mosiako became the fifth South African man to join the sub 2:10 group. The 29-year-old took eighth position during yesterday's (14 December) Abu Dhabi Marathon in 2:09:14, which was the third fastest time of the year and more importantly, the fastest ever marathon debut of any SA male athlete. Mosiako went through the 30km mark with the lead bunch in 1:29:25 which meant that he was on course to eclipse Gert Thys' 23-year-old SA Record of 2:06:33. Although he faded slightly during the closing stages to finish just under 3 minutes behind winner Ketema Regasa of Ethiopia's winning time of 2:06:16, Mosiako is over the moon with his excellent performance.

Mosiako on his way to the fastest marathon debut of any South African male athlete. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I'm so happy," he told #TheTopRunner after his remarkable run. "I did not have nay expectations or a predicted finish time," he explained. "My only goal was to finish my first marathon. Today, I achieved a dream—completing my debut marathon. I'm filled with gratitude and pride for what we’ve accomplished together,"  he said thanking all of those who supported him during his preparation for the race.

The Nedbank Running Club star has every right to be overjoyed with his performance in the Gulf because his maiden marathon clocking ended up being almost five minutes faster than what he had thought he would be capable of. "I actually didn't think I would run this fast. Most SA Runners start with a 2:12 or 2:14 marathon and so I also thought I would be somewhere there."

Mosiako in action against Chris Mhlanga, Elroy Gelant and Bennet Seloyi during the 2024 Thembisa Mile 10km race on 29 October which he used as part of his preparations for the Abu Dhabi Marathon. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

Instead, the man who has now returned to his native North West province in Klerksdorp under the mentorship of Pio Mpolokeng after parting ways with Gqeberha-based coach Mike Mbambani a few months ago, stopped the 42,2km clock only about three minutes outside the Tokyo 2025 World Championships qualification standard of 2:06:30. A 59:52 half marathoner at his best achieved when he finished in sixth place at the 2023 World Half Marathon Championships, is Mosiako aiming to run the entry standard in another marathon in order to be included in the SA team for the global athletics competition in the Japanese capital next September?

"No. I'm won't try to improve on this time for now and I’m not targeting the World Championships. My focus is on running just one marathon a year. Remember that we have the World Half Marathon Championships (World Road Running Championships) in San Diego next year. That's where my focus is."