Sphala Runners Club

19/06/2026

🇧🇼 BOTSWANA AT COMRADES 2026 🇿🇦

Botswana celebrated 246 official finishers at the 2026 Comrades Marathon, including 72 sub-10-hour performances, 73 novice finishers, 51 Back-to-Back medals, and 4 new Green Number earners.

From Silver medal performances at the front of the field to first-time finishers earning their inaugural Comrades medals, Botswana runners once again demonstrated that our running community continues to grow in both numbers and performance.

Among our finishers were:

🏅 3 Silver Medals
🏅 21 Bill Rowan Medals
🏅 48 Robert Mtshali Medals
🏅 77 Bronze Medals
🏅 97 Vic Clapham Medals

Congratulations to Botswana's fastest athletes:

FASTEST MEN 🇧🇼 👨🏽‍🦱
🥇 Emmanuel Phitlho - 7:11:08 (Silver)
🥈 Polite Ndebele - 7:20:41 (Silver)
🥉 Mogotsi J. Morewanare - 7:21:46 (Silver)

FASTEST WOMEN 🇧🇼 👩🏽
🥇 Didimalang Gabolekwe - 9:37:19 (Robert Mtshali)
🥈 Wangu Mmereki - 9:55:12 (Robert Mtshali)
🥉 Zuleikha Zil-Lee Steinbach - 9:59:24 (Robert Mtshali)

A special congratulations goes to the 73 Botswana novices who completed their first Comrades Marathon and earned the lifelong privilege of calling themselves Comrades finishers. There is only one first Comrades, and this year's novice class has now become part of a very special family.

Another 51 runners earned their Back-to-Back medals, proving that returning to Comrades and finishing again can be every bit as challenging as completing it for the first time.

A special salute goes to our newest Green Number earners, athletes who have reached the remarkable milestone of ten Comrades finishes:

🟩 Bakang Tsheboagae
🟩 Ben Chebani
🟩 Sabelo Matikiti
🟩 Shirley Mosiakgabo

💚 Shirley Mosiakgabo became the first Botswana woman in history to earn a Comrades Green Number.

This is a landmark achievement not only for Shirley, but for Botswana running as a whole, and one that will inspire generations of women runners to follow.

Behind every medal and every finish line photo are months of preparation, supportive families, dedicated coaches, committed running clubs, training partners, volunteers, and countless sacrifices made in pursuit of a dream.

To every Motswana who ran, volunteered, coached, supported, or cheered from home, thank you for flying our flag high.

P**a! 🇧🇼
Ace Runners Club Active Hub GABORONE RUNNERS CLUB Gaborone Striders Runners Club Evolve Fitness BW Fearless Fitness Club Untamed Runners Runwidit Sphala Runners Club Gabs 1/2 Marathon Orapa RunBuddies Club Jwaneng Mine Runners Club Sunday Runners CLUB BW Run 60 31 on 31 Race

16/06/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to our weekly engagement list! 🎉

Ricardo Morongwa Seleke, Trevor Lee Tautsagae, Kagiso Lleyton, Dineo Winnie, Kopo Slim Punu, Serwalo Mercy, Ratie Mokalake, Moreri Sebonego, Moshe C Zila Libengo, Patra Moles, Kluv Kealeboga, Wizzie Kabelo, Junior M Ndubo, Lebo Larona, KaOne Willie, Fenyi Radipitse, Thabiso Benjamin Magova, Uchada TUtu Nolwazi Moroka, Shakes Waha Mabating, Levanto Concepts, Ronn Kgomela, Malebogo Ramatu, Tholego Keitshekile, KB Kel, Ybl B Bophutatswana, Tuduetso Molefhe, Todd Toddinho Kebinatau, Lebirwa La Bobirwa, Shaun BW, Dimah Dimacare, Khai Bee, Kyc Jane, Tshepiso Motshepula, Sunshine Waterfall, Nelson Lebogang, Thato Sedio, Tefo Gomolemo Moshe, Lastie Herbert, Morupisi Morupisi, Tym Seetella, Betsho Desmond Dinonyane II, Duncan Tshepho Steady, Gaolebe Orlstas, Kgosietsile Gabriel Bopadile, Abbey Tidimalo, Bany Banz, Theetso Zibani, Bright Tafa Boipuso, Siaka Mogapi, Keletso JM

15/06/2026

🎉 Sphala Runners Club earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognising us for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among our fans!

15/06/2026

Great warrior

𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐊𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐂𝐌

Clocking an impressive 9:52:52 at an average pace of 6:55 min/km, Mining Manager- Underground,Ricardo Seleke successfully completed the 2026 Comrades Marathon, proudly carrying the Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) flag on one of the world’s toughest endurance stages.

The iconic Up Run stretches 85.777 km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, testing runners with relentless climbs, rolling roads, and legendary scenery.

Wearing the newly launched MCM running apparel, Ricardo embodied resilience, discipline, and determination from start to finish.

This achievement reflects months of preparation and stands as an inspiration to the entire MCM family.

Congratulations, Ricardo Seleke! We are proud of your outstanding representation of MCM on the international stage.

14/06/2026

To Moshe C Zila Libengo), Tramell Mog'pie (Traahhh), and Thabiso Benjamin Magova, thank you for carrying the spirit of the Sphala Runners Club onto the road with pride, courage, and intent.

This year’s Comrades Marathon🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ 2026 journey did not end at the finish line for you, but it absolutely began with something far more important: the courage to dare to dream and step into the ultimate human race 🏃‍♂️🔥

Not every race tells its story in medals or finish times. Some are written in the decision to start, in the hours of preparation, in the moments when the body says no but the spirit still chooses forward. And that is exactly what your journey represents.

You stood for Sphala Runners Club with heart and determination, and even when the road did not extend all the way to the end this time, your representation remains valued, respected, and deeply appreciated.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for believing. Thank you for representing.

🏁

MAM Group

14/06/2026

Molly Tshwene, affectionately known as “Rakgadi”, turned courage into completion on the toughest road of them all.

Congratulations to Rakgadi on finishing the Comrades Marathon🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ 2026 in a brave and determined 12:07:55 🏃‍♀️🔥

This was not just a race, it was a declaration of intent. From daring to dream to standing on the start line, she carried belief, heart, and quiet strength through every kilometre. The Comrades distance demands more than fitness; it demands conviction, and Rakgadi delivered exactly that.

Her journey reflects what it truly means to step beyond hesitation and into possibility, and proving that dreams are not just imagined, they are earned through endurance and courage.

Well done, Rakgadi for you dared, you believed, and you finished.

🏁

MAM Group

14/06/2026

Onneile Manelo Nwako, delivered another powerful statement of consistency and heart on the Comrades road.

Congratulations to Manelo on completing the Comrades Marathon🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ 2026 in a determined 11:44:41 🏃‍♂️🔥

A true example of resilience and growth, he showed once again that finishing strong is built on patience, preparation, and belief in the process. Every kilometre reflected composure under pressure and the mindset of someone who refuses to be broken by distance.

Sharing a closely fought finish window with the club leaders, he reinforced the spirit of unity within the Sphala Runners Club, where every athlete’s journey strengthens the collective identity.

This is more than a finish time. It is proof of discipline, courage, and commitment to the journey.

Well done, Manelo for remaining steady, strong, and unwavering to the line.

🏁

MAM Group

14/06/2026

Walter “Mshawza” Nwako, the Sphala Runners Club President, once again led not just in words but in action for showing what leadership on the road truly looks like.

Congratulations to Mshawza on completing the Comrades Marathon🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ 2026 in a composed and determined 11:44:39 🏃‍♂️🔥

As the driving force behind the Sphala Runners Club, he didn’t just guide the team into the ultimate human race as he stood shoulder to shoulder with them and finished what he started. That is leadership defined by participation, resilience, and example.

Throughout the race, Mshawza carried the responsibility of both athlete and leader, balancing strategy with endurance, and proving once again that the club’s strength starts from the front.

This finish reflects more than preparation, it reflects commitment, unity, and the spirit of .

Well done, President Mshawza by leading from the road, finishing with pride.

MAM Group