ATHLETICS-LONG-distance runner Andreas Simelane has described his gruelling 109km run, in honour of fellow runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, as a fitting send-off for an athlete whose passion for long-distance running was unmatched.
Simelane embarked on the ultra-distance tribute following the discovery of Tsontso’s body after she had gone missing during a morning run, saying the run was his way of honouring a fellow runner and helping bring closure to her family.
He said he was particularly relieved for Tsontso’s eight-year-old daughter, Khumo, who had been struggling to accept the reality of her mother’s disappearance.
“I was somehow happy for her eight-year-old daughter Khumo in terms of accepting the reality, starting to grieve, getting closure and opening a new chapter in life since she was in denial before her mother’s body was found,” Simelane said.
For Simelane, the tribute was especially meaningful because Tsontso was not merely a recreational runner.
“She wasn’t just an ordinary runner but she was a Comrades Ultramarathon runner, and that is the ultimate human test,” he said.
He said her participation in the gruelling Comrades Ultramarathon demonstrated the depth of her passion for the sport, as not every runner is willing to take on the physical and mental demands of the iconic ultra-distance race.
Simelane admitted that the 109km challenge came at a time when he had not fully recovered from the 161km Washie Ultra Marathon.
“It’s true that I had not fully recovered from the Washie 161km, but at the same time a soldier must be ready for war 24/7,” he said.
The run presented a series of challenges, including running through the darkness while being continuously blinded by cane haulage trucks.
Rain added to the difficulty, leaving Simelane’s shoes soaked and resulting in blisters around his feet. He also ran out of refreshments along the way, affecting his energy levels and performance, while completing the challenge without a support vehicle.
After reaching Manzini, the journey became even more demanding as the athlete hitch-hiked to Mhlume. He eventually made it back at 1am.
“Finally finishing the run meant solo mission accomplished,” he said.
Simelane, who shared a WhatsApp running group with Tsontso, said he felt a long-distance run was an appropriate way to honour her.
“As it’s normally said that runners are crazy since they’re always chasing thin air, me and Tsontso were in the same WhatsApp group. I felt that doing a long run will be a proper send-off that she will smile at while resting in peace,” he said.
He chose the 90km Comrades distance as the foundation of the tribute, adding another 19km to take the total to 109km.
“Tsontso was a top, dedicated, passionate runner. In honouring our fallen comrade, I decided to run a standard Comrades distance (90km) and spice it up with an additional 19km,” Simelane said.
The tribute also brought renewed attention to the safety of runners using public roads. Simelane said motorists needed to show greater consideration towards runners and share the road safely.
He also called for visible policing and improved street lighting as possible interventions to make running routes safer. For Simelane, however, the gruelling distance ultimately went beyond kilometres, exhaustion and physical pain.
It was a personal mission to honour a fellow runner and ensure that Tsontso’s passion for the sport was remembered.
