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