ROAD RUNNING
The Big BREAKTHROUGH
Two National Titles, twice represented South Africa internationally, 11 wins in 17 races, and the Spar Grand Prix Series title in her first year of competing in the series... To say that 2017 was a breakthrough year for 25-year-old Kesa Molotsane is a massive understatement! – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
Kesa Molotsane is not your typical pro athlete. She holds down full-time employment as a student assistant at the University of the Free State, is currently doing her Honours in Anthropology, and still intends to obtain a post-graduate diploma in law to go with her two certificates in Labour Law. That’ s quite a hefty schedule to keep, but in between fulfilling those obligations, she still finds find time to train.
Still, had you asked any of the athletics pundits at the beginning of 2017 whether Kesa was likely to be the most dominant middle distance women’ s runner in the country that year, few would have said yes. In fact, Kesa herself was a bit surprised by 2017.“ I always knew that one day I would have a really good season, which would take me to the next level in my running, but I did not expect it this year.”
CHANGE OF PLANS
The goal for 2017 was to focus on the track and cross country. Kesa was part of the South African team to the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda in March, where she finished 35th in the 10km in 35:47, so her preparations were focused on that as well as the SA track season, and then later in the year, defending her SA Cross Country Title. The road was never a focus, but that changed after she won the Johnson Crane 10km in Benoni in January, followed by her win at the first Spar Ladies Race in Cape Town in April.
She followed that up with a win at the PE race in May and suddenly found herself leading the Grand Prix
Series, so she shifted focus.“ I was only supposed to do two Spar Races and then focus on the rest of my usual season, but those two wins changed everything. It was hard, because it was all so new to me. I needed time to get used to the road,” says Kesa.“ My competitors were used to it, but this for me was very new – I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. Running on the track is‘ easy,’ I can work out my pace. But the road? It has twists and turns and uphills and downhills. It’ s just not that simple. And hard. It is hard.”
JET-SETTING LIFESTYLE
As a result, 2017 turned into a very busy year for Kesa.“ This was by far the longest season I can remember having. The road running made all the difference. I never used to travel as much as I did this year. So it was quite challenging as I still needed to work and further my studies. But it was very rewarding, very rewarding. And then I had the World University Games in Taipei in August.” In fact, Kesa ran the Spar Women’ s race in Pietermaritzburg on 20 August, which she won, then jumped into a car to get to the Airport in Durban, flew to Johannesburg and within the blink of an eye was on a flight to Taipei“ That was madness, it was so hectic and rushed. I don’ t know how I did it.” Kesa then finished ninth in the 5000m with a PB of 16:01.76.
Asked when she had some down time, Kesa’ s response is typical of the quiet lady with a wicked sense of humour:“ My sleep? It’ s a rumour!” she says with a healthy laugh, but then turns serious again.
“ What was toughest for me was the fact that I spent very little time with those who are important to me. The travel, racing, studies – all kept me away far more than I have ever experienced from those who are dear to me. That was very emotional for me.”
RUNNING FEET
Kesa left home as early as her 13th year.“ I received a bursary for athletics from Navalsig High School and after matriculating, I started at Kovsies for my studies. Now I stay in a sports house. So I guess I am very independent. I have learned to fend for myself.” Her story on how she started running is also very atypical.
“ I just wanted to run everywhere. People at home started calling me‘ Zola Budd’”
Images: Reg Caldecott
14 ISSUE 102 JANUARY 2018 / www. modernathlete. co. za