Mokoka and Oldknow win big as Hollywood announce new partnership to help top runners improve their skills

Multiple SA champion Stephen Mokoka was named Hollywood Athletics Club national male athlete of the year at a glittering the awards ceremony held at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban yesterday. Mokoka enjoyed a wonderful season which included coming third at the Durban International Marathon in 2:09:52, while he managed to dip under 28 minutes over 10km when he clocked a lightning fast 27:56 to take fifth position at the absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. The 39-year-old also represented the country at his fourth Olympic Games in Paris where he completed the marathon in an Olympic best 2:10:59 for 27th position. 

Hollywood AC President Morgan Shandu presents Mokoka with his award. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

"It's a privilege and an honour to be here. I was surprised to be named national athlete of the year. I'm grateful for the award, especially in my first year since I joined the club. Being able to win an award like this is special especially when considering how big the club is and the depth of athletes we have. I appreciate this moment," he told #TheTopRunner after receiving his award from club president Morgan Shandu.

Mokoka's fellow #Paris2024 Olympian Cian Oldknow walked away with the national female athlete of the year award. The 28-year-old has been in outstanding form since stepping up to the marathon at the beginning of the year. In addition to winning the national title when she won the Durban International Marathon, Oldknow also produced an excellent 2:25:08 at the Seville Marathon in February, which remains the second fastest time ever run by a South African woman.

Oldknow had an amazing 2024 and was rewarded with the honour of being named Hollywood AC Female Elite Athlete of the Year as MC Robert Marawa looks on. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

Other notable winners included Simphiwe Zulu who walked away with three awards. Zulu won KwaZulu-Natal male athlete of the year, KwaZulu-Natal most consistent male athlete of the year and KZN social media personality of the year. Loveness Madziva who earned third spot in this year's Two Oceans Marathon won KZN Female athlete of the year, while youngster Lindelani Mjwara was named Newcomer of the Year.

In all, Hollywoodbets who sponsor the Hollywood Athletics Club, shelled out a total of R3 million yesterday to reward more than 900 comrades medal winners ranging from Gold to Vic Clapham. Mokoka was virtually speechless by the amazing generosity that he witnessed. "I was pleasantly surprised when the club president announced the Comrades incentives in terms of times for social runners. It's rare for clubs to recognize all medalists from gold medals up until the Vic Clapham medalists who complete the race in 12 hours. So for what Hollywood is doing for the athletes is amazing," said Mokoka.

Zulu ran away with three awards. Photo Credit: Hollywood AC.

In addition to the awards and cash being handed out Hollywood boss Shandu also told those at the glitzy event that their aim is to see more of their elite athletes emulate the success of Mokoka and Oldknow by not only running faster but improving their prospects for earning an income once they have hung up their running shoes. To this end a partnership was unveiled between the Hollywood Athletic Club and the parent company Hollywoodbets' training arm StarFactory, which will assist top runners to study further. Mokoka who completed his tertiary studies at the Vaal University of Technology, believes that this will go a long way to helping athletes improve their lot in life.

"The more people we get to come on board to help athletes to enhance their skills, the better. It shouldn't be only about running. We must also try to assist athletes either to further their studies in Universities or to develop their skills. That will grow athletes beyond running. So this is a good initiative that Hollywood has introduced. This partnership will help athletes to plan for life after running."