Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 112, November 2018 | Page 14

ROAD RUNNING
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– BY MANFRED SEIDLER
on 26 August as he defended his 10km title at the
Mandela Day Marathon, clocking 30:32 on a course
that effectively climbs from start to the finish. Then
on 9 September he destroyed the star-studded
men’s 10km field at the SA Cross Country Champs
in Port Elizabeth, followed two weeks later by the
successful defence of his 10km title at the Sanlam
Cape Town Marathon, where he clocked 29:11.
Just a week after that, Precious lined up at the
SA 10km Road Racing Champs in Middelburg
on 29 September. Precious held off the late
charges of rising star Thabang Mosiako and
defending champion Elroy Gelant to secure a
second national title in a month. This time he
clocked 29:43. And then just two weeks after
that win, he travelled to Cape Town again for
the OUTsurance KFM 90.4 Gun Run 10km and
posted yet another successful title defence, the
day after his 28th birthday, in a time of 29:24.
P
recious Mashele shows little emotion when
speaking about his mother, but it is clear her
passing has been a big blow. “It hurt, but I just
had to get on with it. I need to look after my brothers
and sisters, they need me now, so I need to be strong.
Of course I miss her, but my siblings need all my support
now.” In spite of losing her (his dad passed away in
2008), Precious still considers 2018 a good year from a
performance perspective. “I cannot complain. The last
few months have been hard racing, but good racing. We
are following a plan, and it is all falling into place for 2019
and 2020. So I cannot complain.”
To call the last few months merely “good racing” is
perhaps the understatement of the year! He won
five high profile events and two national titles from
late August to mid-October, with the streak starting
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Having dominated the racing circuit in this period,
Precious simply says, “My focus for 2019 is the World
Cross Country Championships in Arnheim, Denmark
next year, so by winning the national title, I effectively
have secured my spot on the World Champs team,
barring a fitness test. And then I want to qualify for
the World Championships in Doha in October in the
10,000m.” Given his current form, odds are he will be
successful in that goal.
The Best Coaching
Coached by multiple South African champion and
record holder Hendrick Ramaala, Precious’ calendar
is worked out to the finest detail. “We are working
towards 2020 and thereafter Precious will be focusing
on the big city marathons. We race sparingly and that
was also the secret to my success,” says Hendrick.
“We will follow this policy for Precious’ entire career.”
ISSUE 112 NOVEMBER 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Precious may have been a late bloomer – he only
joined Hendrick’s training group in 2015, after
the latter saw him running in Cape Town – but
his improvement has been remarkable under
Hendrick’s coaching, going from a 29:19 best
for 10km to 28:33 a year later in 2017 (still his
best to date). Hendrick’s strong cross country
background has also rubbed off on Precious, and
no-one was able to touch him at the provincial
trials at the end of August. He then carried that
form into the National Championships two weeks
later, and 2019 will see him race at the World Cross
Country Championships, barring any unforeseen
circumstances.
After that, the plan is for him to head to Europe to
run in a few 10,000m races to secure his place in
the 10,000m at the World Championships in Doha
in October. He will run one or two half marathons in
2019 as well, but only if they fit in with the training and
racing schedule set aside in his pursuit of getting to
the World Champs 10,000m.
Humble but Hard
Precious is soft-spoken, preferring his coach and
mentor Hendrick to speak on his behalf – and
the coach is certainly excited about his protégé.
“He works hard, he is tough as nails, and that will
help him in his career. Because he started late,
there is less opportunity for things such as many
Olympics, but the next seven years will be good
ones for Precious if all goes well.” Meanwhile,
Precious says the 2018 season is effectively
running to a close and it is now time to rest his
body, and maybe reflect a bit on his year, then look
ahead to 2019. No doubt he will be spending a fair
bit of time with his siblings in the off-season, but
be prepared for some big statements from him in
2019.
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In July this year, 28-year-old Precious
Mashele, received a phone call from his
mom to let him know he was now the head
of the family, and would need to provide for
his siblings from now on. She was saying
goodbye... because shortly after that call,
she passed away, and Precious was left to
fend for his brothers and sisters, who are
still at school. Despite the emotional loss,
Precious has been able to mourn in his
own way, and “get on with the business” of
fending for his family, by winning national
titles in road running and cross country.