ROAD RUNNING
Living the Run Your Way lifestyle .
Training With the Best
Ramaala is one of the all-time greats of SA middle and long-distance running . He represented South Africa at the Olympics and World championships many times in his career , set national records and won national titles , and counts the 2004 New York Marathon win amongst his many achievements as an athlete . Today , however , he is better known for coaching the Zoo Lake training group , which has produced some of the best running talent this country has ever seen , and joining this group is what galvanised Nobukhosi ’ s running career .
The first signs of this was when she finished sixth in the iconic Soweto Marathon at the end of 2022 , in a decent time of 2:50:24 . That was followed by a fourth place finish in the 2023 N12 Ultra .
Nobukhosi describes Ramaala as a father figure in her life , and says his influence has played a huge role in her success . “ Coach Ramaala is one of the best in the country . The results are there for everyone to see . He is relaxed and quiet , he doesn ’ t shout at his athletes , but only gives valuable lessons about life . Still , when I started to train with the guys at Zoo Lake , I was afraid to ask him anything about coaching , but I was impressed with how he conducts things , so I decided to stick around ,” she says .
“ He was the first person to tell me that I can make a living with athletics , as long as I ’ m disciplined and willing to work hard . And he was not lying , because I can see that now , so our relationship is very good , and I don ’ t regret the decision to train with him . My training partners are also good people , and are always sharing advice . We all share a common goal ,” she adds .
Setting Lofty Goals
Looking ahead , Nobukhosi says she has some big running goals that she is working on achieving , including to break the Zimbabwean women ’ s marathon record . The current national mark of 2:29:20 belongs to former Two Oceans Marathon winner Tabitha Tsatsa . While Nobukhosi ’ s best is currently 2:43 , she is still getting stronger and faster , and she believes she can do it . Her other goal is to become the first black woman to win the Comrades Marathon .
“ The reason I decided to run an international race like New York is because I need to improve my time for the marathon , because it has been proven that you need speed to win the Comrades . I know the competition is very high in overseas races , which means faster races , and my plan is to run a time below 2:30 in the future – and if I can break my country ’ s record , then I would be so happy , too . So , once I have a good marathon time , I believe I stand a chance to win the Comrades , which is my dream . To win it , and become the first black woman to do it .”
About the Author Tathe Msimango is a Durban-based freelance sport journalist , podcaster and digital content creator , with a particular interest in all things running . He is a regular contributor to various platforms and outlets , including Kaya FM , The Top Runner and Blizzard magazine in the UK .
Talent Spotted
By Angie Austin , Marketing Manager of New Balance SA
I heard about Nobukhosi through mutual running connections , so I reached out to a well-known running coach to find out a bit more about her , which confirmed that she has the potential to be great . I then reached out to her to discuss her future running plans and goals , and to find out a little more about who she was when she was not running . Her values , determination and what she is trying to achieve aligned with our brand , and so the partnership began .
She lives in Tembisa , on the Gauteng Midrand , where she works as a hairdresser , and only started her running journey in 2013 to lose weight after having her children . However , what originally started as a journey to a healthier lifestyle , very soon changed to her stepping into the elite running category , as her times and positions in races improved . She has recently been training with the likes of Comrades champion and SA Marathon recordholder Gerda Steyn , giving her the opportunity to train alongside such an inspiring athlete and motivate her to keep chasing her dreams .
As a mom , professional ( hairdresser ) and elite athlete , Nobukhosi embodies the New Balance ethos , living the Run Your Way lifestyle . She also gives hope to many young women , proving that dreams can be achieved if you put in the hard work , and I look forward to seeing her grow , both as an athlete and individual , as her elite athlete journey progresses .
Nobukhosi is sponsored by New Balance , and will be running the TCS New York Marathon in the New York City Marathon ( NYCM ) SC Elite v4 , a shoe built with the best in New Balance innovation . The product of extensive research and testing , the SC Elite v4 is New Balance ’ s new flagship race-day shoe , specifically engineered to break records , with the propulsive feeling of FuelCell combined with a thinner carbon fibre plate , offering superior energy return in a lightweight package .
Images : SMacPix & Courtesy Entsika , New Balance , Nobuhle Tshuma
14 ISSUE 173 | www . modernathlete . co . za