ROAD RUNNING
SA ’ s Hall of Fame
South Africa ’ s bronze medal at the 2023 World Champs takes the country ’ s medal tally at the World Half Marathon / World Road Running Champs to 12 . However , this is the country ’ s first medal since 1999 , and is thus a welcome return to the podium for a country that has always prided itself on its running strength , but has long been underperforming , compared to the success of the 1990 , including a World Champs title for Elana Meyer and two men ’ s team gold medals . ( The stats below include medals won , followed by total appearances at the World Half Marathon / World Road Running Champs .)
1992
• Silver for Meck Mothuli in the Junior Men ’ s category *
• Bronze for Team SA in the Junior Men ’ s Team competition * ( Meck Mothuli , Isaac Radebe , Enoch Skosana )
1993
• Gold for Meck Mothuli in the Junior Men ’ s category *
• Gold for Team SA in the Junior Men ’ s Team competition * ( Meck Mothuli , Isaac Radebe , Frank Pooe )
* The junior category was only contested at the 1992 and 1993 World Half Marathon Championships , then discontinued .
1994
• Gold for Elena Meyer in the Women ’ s Half Marathon
1997
• Silver for Team SA in the Men ’ s Team competition ( Hendrick Ramaala , Gert Thys , Makhosonke Fika )
1998
• Gold for Team SA in the Men ’ s Team competition ( Hendrick Ramaala , Gert Thys , Abner Chipu )
• Silver for Hendrick Ramaala in the Men ’ s Half Marathon
• Silver for Elena Meyer in the Women ’ s Half Marathon
1999
• Gold for Team SA in the Men ’ s Team competition ( Hendrick Ramaala , Abner Chipu , Mluleki Nobanda )
• Silver for Hendrick Ramaala in the Men ’ s Half Marathon
2023
• Bronze for Team SA in the Men ’ s Team competition ( Thabang Mosiako , Stephen Mokoka , Elroy Gelant )
Total Medals :
5 Gold 5 Silver 2 Bronze
Stephen Mokoka , Thabang Mosiako , Elroy Gelant and Precious Mashele ( hidden ) on the Riga podium
Most Medals ( Men )
13 Zersenay Tadese ( Eritrea ) 7 Tesfaye Jifar ( Ethiopia ) 6 Geoffrey Kamworor ( Kenya ) 5 Shem Kororia ( Kenya ) 5 Hendrick Ramaala ( South Africa ) 5 Patrick Musyoki ( Kenya ) 5 Moses Tanui ( Kenya ) 5 Paul Tergat ( Kenya ) 5 Solomon Tsige ( Ethiopia )
Most Appearances ( Men )
9 Zersenay Tadese ( Eritrea 2002-2014 ) 8 Ronny Ligneel ( Belgium , 1992-2001 ) 8 Stephen Mokoka ( South Africa , 2008-2023 ) 7 Kamal Kohil ( Algeria , 1992-2003 ) 7 Kaelo Mosalagae ( Botswana , 2002-2010 )
Most Appearances ( Women )
8 Four women 7 Four women 6 Nine women , inc . Nicole Fuller ( South Africa , 1992-2002 )
Most Appearances for SA
Men 8 Stephen Mokoka 5 Hendrick Ramaala 4 Gert Thys Women 6 Nicole Fuller 5 Elana Meyer 4 Grace De Oliveira
Ryan Mphahlele was in the mix from start to finish of the men ’ s mile
Kyla Jacobs and Tayla Kavanagh flew the SA flag in the women ’ s 5km
Carina Viljoen gave it everything and posted 30 a PB in ISSUE 162 | www . modernathlete . co . za the women ’ s mile
Nicholas Seoposengwe took valuable experience out of his World Champs 5km
Maxime Chaumeton was an early leader in the men ’ s 5km