Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 118, May 2019 | Page 15

ROAD RUNNING
know, can I do 5km, 10km, a half marathon even a
marathon? Then in 2012 I decided I needed a new
challenge, so I thought, let me chase that star.”
Mphokolo and a group of friends made a pact that
they would do the six races, and so began a journey of
self-discovery, adventure and fun. “My first race in the
challenge was Berlin in 2013. I skipped 2014 and then
did Tokyo in 2015, Boston in 2016, Chicago in 2017
and New York in 2018. So, London was a big thing for
me. It was the last race of the six, and it carries with it a
big following and prestige, so I was really excited.” Mphokolo ran the Boston Marathon two years after
the finish-line bombings and was moved by how the
victims are honoured. “They have memorials and you
know this was something big and sad, but the race
pays tribute without fail. I loved that. New York was
gritty, but what was amazing was running through the
five Boroughs of New York. It was like running through
a different city every time you hit a different Borough.
And Chicago was also different. The city is all about
banking, and you could see it. But each race had its
own unique supporters, and they all came out and
cheered. I really loved it all.
UNIQUE CULTURES MAKING THE TRIPS COUNT
Over the six years, Mphokolo has seen and
experienced the diversity and unique appeal of
each race. The fact that she did Berlin first had a
big impact on her, and is one of the reasons why
it stands out as her favourite. “You know, we think
that Germany is so stoic and set in their ways, and
everything must be done just so. But it wasn’t. It
was incredible. The city was so clean, but there was
a buzz in the air. Berlin literally shut down for the
marathon weekend, and it was really incredible to
see. What also surprised me was the energy and
vibe on race day. Bands everywhere, people by the
side of the road with their dogs and families, and
having a beer. It was unbelievable. And I ran my
PB there, too, so maybe that is also a reason why
Berlin stands out for me.” For Mphokolo, chasing the star was about new
experiences, seeing new countries and also just
getting away. “Even though it was always rushed, and
I would generally not be on the ground more than four
days, I just felt this experience added so much to my
life. Getting to see and interact with different cultures,
running races that are so much different to what we
know in South Africa, it was incredible. I ran with
my camera and took snaps everywhere, and I made
memories.”
All six races are very different, she says. “Tokyo
was pristine, clean, efficient, but with it being such
a big metropole, you got the feeling that the city
wasn’t even aware that on Sunday there would be
a big race. Berlin was the opposite. You knew you
were coming into a city that was about to host
a massive international event. Still, Tokyo was
incredible in its own way. No one spoke English.
Sign boards, not in English. But even though the
Japanese seem reserved, if they saw you look lost,
they would try and help. I also loved the cleanliness
of the city, and how everything was so efficient, yet
in harmony. The old culture and the new modern
lifestyle, everything blended together so incredibly.”
She adds that Tokyo was also very different in that
it had an element of Western culture, but was very
distinctly Japanese. “I thought it was very esoteric
and calm, and I loved it.”
Part of the experience was always the race expo, but
Mphokolo didn’t dally there. “I went in, got my race
kit, shopped a bit, and left, because I didn’t want to
spend too much time on my feet. London, though,
was different. When I arrived on the Friday morning, I
got to the hotel, showered and then made my way to
the expo, with my book, Running with the Kenyans, by
Adherand Finn, who had trained with the Kenyans for
a while. He was going to give a talk and I wanted to
hear it, so that was special.”
The London Marathon was a bit emotional for
Mphokolo... after all, the journey was about to end.
“You know, six years, and then poof, it’s done. It
was kind of surreal. It seems like just yesterday it all
started. And now it is over. I struggled a bit in London
– I do not think I was fully prepared, and also it was
the end of a journey. Just after halfway I needed to
walk a bit, because I was struggling. I was hoping
to do a 4:30, because that way I could see the top
runners come back over London Bridge as we went
out, but I lost time and then I wanted to make sure
that I came in under five hours. Those last 400 metres
were really tough. Ironically, everyone says the final
400 metres in Berlin are tough, as you go under
the massive Brandenburg Gate, which seems like a
natural finish, but then you discover that you have
another 400m to go. But the crowd in Berlin just lift
you and you fly. In London I struggled, even with the
crowd, but there was this kind lady who was running
with me who kept on saying, ‘Come on, we’ve got
this.’ I owe her a lot and am very grateful.”
SUDDENLY IT’S OVER...
Six years and it is all over, but Mphokolo doesn’t feel
deflated. “It was a life-changing experience getting
to travel and run and soak up different cultures. I
wouldn’t change it for the world. It was my annual
getaway, and I will treasure it forever.” Of course, the
question now is whether there is another challenge
on the horizon? “I will shift my focus to the half
marathons for now, give the body some time to
recover. There are some amazing half marathons all
around the world, so that could be the next thing for
me. But I do want to run the Athens Marathon, to
witness the birthplace of where it all began. To see
the Parthenon and Mount Olympus, that is definitely
calling me, but when exactly I do not yet know. All
I can say is, if you have the chance to do the six
Majors, grab it, because it will change you forever.”
15