Letsoalo targets sub three-hour finish in Cape Town
Lethokuhle Letsoalo will lineup for the Cape Town Marathon on the 15th of October on a mission of improving her standard marathon time.
Despite the race offering a very flat course and a quality field that can push any athlete to clock fast times, but Letsoalo believes there are other factors at play for the Hollywood Athletics Club athlete. As someone who got a marathon lifetime best time in similar race conditions last year when producing a 3:06;17 to take 18th place overall – then would be optimistic that the history might repeat itself.
Another factor has to be the well-calculated preparations which the 40-year-old veteran runner has highlighted building up to the race.
“My preparations have gone quite well and I’m ready for the marathon. My focus has been solely on this race for quite some time. My training program has covered everything to help me gain my mental and physical fitness as well as self-confidence. It is important to follow what I have done on training come race day, “
“Besides I love the Cape Town Marathon for many reasons, the flat route being one of them! Despite the fact that my best marathon time came there, I also have used the race to qualify for the Comrades Marathon in recent years. So I intend to have a good race and a strong finish in the end,” explains, the three-time Comrades Marathon finisher
Letsoalo who hails from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, has been racing smart this year, completing three marathons. In March, she clocked a season-best time of 3:10:59 at the Durban International Marathon then went to post 3:16:30 in Balwin Marathon to take third position. Later on she produced a determined and composed run of 7:02:24 in the Comrades Marathon to earn 28th spot overall and obtain Isavel Roche-Kelly Medal in June.
To end the season, Letsoalo is looking to break the three-hour barrier over 42.2km in the Mother City.
“I think I’m very much happy with the results I achieved this year. The only thing I wish to achieve is a new best time. So, In Cape Town, I have set my goal to at least set a new personal best time. I would love to do so by breaking three-hours. By doing so, I stand a good chance to either get a top 10 podium overall or if it doesn’t happen then an age category is on the cards. If either of those is achievable on the day then I would be happy.”