Sehohle to make ultra debut at SARun 4Cancer 48km

After winning the national 1500m title in 2016, many people in South African running circles will remember Folavio Sehohle as a track who occasionally featured over 10km on the road. But in the past two years, Sehohle has decided to tackle the long distances. Having made a decent marathon debut running 2:16:42 to obtain fifth place in last year's Durban International Marathon - many expected him to take more time to adapt to the 42,2km distance and use his speed to clock faster times. But the 33-year-old has decided to make his ultra marathon debut by signing up to be one of 5 000 participants that will take part in this weekend's SARun 4Cancer 48km ultra-marathon in Polokwane.

Sehohle is ready to race his first ultra marathon. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Its a decision that I kinda took a long time ago that my focus will be on ultra distance," he told #TheTopRunner when asked about venturing over 42km. "I know people will be asking themselves if I'm making a right decision or not. But I have been prepared for the big day. The age is on my side to run ultra distance. I can't keep up with the guys on the track anymore because they have became faster than me. So what's the point for me to keep going if I'm not going to win? Things have changed now and athletes have been running fast. So I'm looking to combine my track speed in order to do well in the distance," explains the man who has also competed internationally and made himself for winning the Helsinki Half Marathon.

In preparation for his ultra marathon debut, the Bella's Athletic Club top runner has decided to work with renowned ultra distance coach John Hamlett. Hamlett needs no introduction in the running community as he has produced over 60 Comrades Marathon gold medalists in his wealth coaching career that has spanned close to three decades. To polish the final preparation, Sehohle decided to spend three weeks in Dullstrom to understand Hamlett's program.

Sehohle celebrates after defeating SA Record holder Johan Cronje and top runners Jerry Motsau and Dumisani Hlaselo to claim the 2016 national 1500m title. Sehohle was coached by Hendrick Ramaala at the time of this success. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I think John is the perfect candidate to guide me through the process and teach me the ropes. He is a wonderful coach with great experience of guiding many athletes. Since we started working together we have grown our relationship way past just coaching alone. He has become an advisor to me about many things in life. So I'm benefiting a lot from him. His program are easy to understand. That why in the past three weeks, I have been attending his training camp to get a clear picture of how he does the job. I have learned a lot from the time I have spend here," shared the man who was first discovered by the legendary Zithulele Sinqe as a youngster on Johannesburg's West Rand.

Having already won two marathons this year in the BTC (2:18:47) and the Phikwe International Marathon in Botswana in July (2:20:10), Sehohle is playing cards close to his chest on his ambitions on race day. "The first priority is simply to finish the race. I can't say much about what I'm going to achieve but I'm hoping for the best. I can't have too much expectations but I'm targeting a good race in the end."