I believe my best is yet to come, says Masi runner

fuad Esack|Published 3 weeks ago

Masiphumelele’s Siphiwe Tefo was first to cross the finish line in the 10km race in Sunday’s Milkwood Run.

The 2025 ABAX Investments Milkwood Run took place on Sunday at the Soetwater Resort in Kommetjie.

Hosted by Harfield Harriers, the event included 21.1km, 10km and 5km races.

Masiphumelele road runner Siphiwe Tefo, 29, crossed the finish line first for the second consecutive year, finishing in a reasonable time of 33min 27sec, in near perfect conditions, albeit it about a minute and a half slower than his winning time the previous year.

Although slightly disappointed, Tefo is not overly concerned, saying: “If there’s one thing running taught me it’s that some days will be better than others. Life is full of twists and turns, with highs and lows. You gotta keep on going, you only lose when you give up.”

Runners gather at the Soetwater Resort in Kommetjie for the start of Sunday’s Investments Milkwood Run. Picture: Peter Kirk Media

Sunday’s Milkwood Run attracted runners form across the city. Picture: Peter Kirk Media

Itheko Athletic Club’s Ashraf Orrie and co en route to the finish in Sunday’s Milkwood Run. Picture: Peter Kirk Media

Keep on Keeping on, say two-time Milkwood winner, Siphiwe Tefo.

“I was a bit disappointed,” he said, “because I wanted to run faster than last year. The weather conditions on Sunday were perfect, there was no wind, perfect weather for running, but It’s not an easy course to run a fast time.

“Also, keep in mind that the elevation is 195m,” he said.

A fan of shorter distances, Tefo says he has been struggling with a series of back-to-back injuries over the past three years, forcing him to quit track and field in favour of marathons, perhaps even moving to ultras over the next year.

Back-to-back injuries over the past three years, forced him to quit track and field in favour of marathons, says star runner Siphiwe Tefo.

“I haven't decided yet with my coach, our main focus is marathons for now,” he said.

Introduced to running at primary school, Tefo, a former high school star athlete, also won last year’s John Korasie 30km race in Simon’s Town, the VOB Avbob 15km race and finished in second place in his first ultra distance race, the Blouberg Marathon, which doubled as Western Province Athletics (WPA) marathon championships.

Earlier in his career he also represented South Africa at the African Southern Region youth and junior athletic championships, winning a silver medal in 2010 in Sasolburg, silver in Germiston and Paarl 2011 and a bronze in Namibia in the same year.

While running remains his core focus, Tefo also dabbles in fashion, fitness training and motivating youngsters. “

“I’m a full-time athlete but I am also working towards my qualification as a fitness instructor. I’ve been trying to come up with my own clothing brand and investing my spare time into learning more about fashion and materials,” he said.

Fish Hoek-based athletics coach, George Gundry, right, pictured here with Zimbabwe Athletics head coach Colin Makhaza a few years ago, has been instrumental in guiding Masi runner Siphiwe Tefo and others over the years.

Originally from Katlehong, in Johannesburg, Tefo moved to Cape Town in 2018 to train with his long-standing coach, George Gundry, who lives in Fish Hoek. The two have known each other since Tefo’s school days, when Gundry started coaching at Germiston track.

“He went through a period of bad injuries,” said Gundry, so we sent him to Joburg where a specialist whom I used to coach, ensured he received the best treatment. Now we are building up again carefully.”

Tefo will skip this weekend’s Peninsula Marathon, but will run the Durban International Marathon in May, along with another athlete from Masiphumelele, said Gundry.

Gundry has also been instrumental in pushing Tefo to further his studies so that he has something to fall back on once his athletics career is over.

From Left are, Masiphumelele’s Siphiwe Tefo, Nedbank runner Ricardo Swartz, Gugulethu Athletic Club’s Sibusiso Madikizela, from Khayelitsha and Lesotho’s Namakoe Nkhasi, seen here in last year’s Blouberg Marathon. Picture: AB PhotoZA

He said Tefo is part of a group of five runners which includes this year’s Red Hill Marathon winner, Sibusiso Madikizela from Khayelitsha. Madikizela also won Sunday’s Milkwood half marathon and fellow Masi runner, Malusi Judas, finished in third place

“In August last year, these five athletes ran the Blouberg Marathon. They worked together and took first five places and broke the course record,” he said.

“A chap from Lesotho won it, Siphiwe came second and Sibusiso third. I helped form the team,” Gundry said.

“Hopefully he (Tefu) and the Lesotho athlete will run the Zurich Seville Marathon next year,” he said.

For Tefo, the best is yet to come.” I haven’t reached my full potential and it’s only a matter of time before I become the athlete that I know I’m capable of being,” he said.

Athletics South Africa (ASA), in association with Western Province Athletics (WPA) has, announced that the 2025 ASA Marathon Championships and the SA Masters Marathon are due to take place in Cape Town on Sunday February 16, as part of this year’s Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon, from Green Point to Simon’s Town.

In a statement, ASA says the Marathon Championships is a prestigious national 42.2km competition for men and women, bringing together the country’s top long-distance runners. This event also serves as an opportunity for athletes to prepare for major international competitions later in the year.

“Western Province Athletics is honoured to host the 2025 ASA Marathon Championships as part of the iconic Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon. Cape Town’s natural beauty, combined with the high level of competition, promises an unforgettable experience for both athletes and spectators. This event is a crucial stepping stone for our top marathoners as they prepare for bigger international challenges, and we encourage Capetonians to to come out and support them,” said WPA president, Farouk Meyer.

Race details: Sunday February 16, starting at 5.15am from Somerset Road, Green Point (Opposite Giovanni’s Deli). The finish line is at Simon’s Town Naval Sports Ground. For more information, email events@wpathletics.co.za or call 081 421 3377.