Comrades Marathon winner Mothibi intends to pay off his house with his winnings

11 June 2019 - 11:14 By Khanyiso Tshwaku
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Comrades Marathon winner Edward Mothibi poses with his three daughters after winning the men's race in Durban on June 9 2019.
Comrades Marathon winner Edward Mothibi poses with his three daughters after winning the men's race in Durban on June 9 2019.
Image: Jackie Clausen

Edward Mothibi's first act of financial prudence after winning his first Comrades Marathon at the weekend is paying off the house he bought last year.

The 34-year-old from Mahikeng in the North West took home R500,000

He is a family man through and through and while waiting his turn at the post-race briefing‚ keeping his three daughters still was his biggest occupation.

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Even when he had his turn at the podium‚ where he was flanked by third-placed Nao Kazami and second-placed Bong'musa Mthembu‚ he still had to contend with his little ones playing behind the podium.

The road-running sacrifice was worth it for him though‚ especially when he decided to take on Mthembu at Polly Shortts.

“I never thought I was going to win the race and that was on my mind.

"Last year was my first race and this win is a bonus for me and I really appreciate that.

"I wanted to secure back-to-back gold. All I wanted was to finish in the top-10 and if I got a gold‚ then I've achieved what I've set out to do.

"My family is very happy‚” Mothibi said.

The Comrades Marathon has been needing an exciting race and that's what Mothibi and Mthembu provided.

They were happy to watch the pace-makers enjoy the glare of the television cameras before they took over at the half-way mark at Drummond.

The weird weather‚ which was cool in some stretches‚ humid in some and ultimately warm from Camperdown onwards‚ made for an interesting and thrilling race.

The competitive field dropped out one by one as their muscles and tactics couldn't keep up with the pace set by Mothibi and Mthembu.

It was a battle of wills‚ wiles and ultimately strength as he tested Mthembu's resolve at Polly Shortts.

Where Mthembu was able to find a response at little Polly's‚ the three-time winner who went into the race as the defending champion was asked a question of his desire and his determination.

Mthembu's mental and physical energy reserves were inadequate and Mothibi was able to gradually shift away from Mthembu.

It wasn't a clear breakaway where Mothibi looked to be the stronger runner‚ but he seemed to have the requisite desire to make his opportunity count.

“I think I did this by the will of God.

"I remember when Bong'musa and I broke away from the guys‚ we went neck to neck.

"When we got to Polly's‚ I didn't even know we were there.

"I kept on going because I know Bong'musa knows the route very well. When it says 15km to go‚ Little Polly's is nearby‚” Mothibi said.

“When I saw him pushing‚ I thought this was the end but I kept on running my splits.

"When I kept on pushing‚ I saw I was closing the gap and I'm still going at the same pace.

"I was also told at training that your last eight kilometres is a time trial. That's when I pushed.”

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