Members of the Bloemfontein-based Centre City Titanium’s Athletics Club will remember the slain Moeketsi Selemela when participating in the gruelling Comrades Marathon on Sunday (28/08). If still alive, the deceased runner would be making his fifth appearance at this year’s edition of the ultramarathon – dubbed the Ultimate Human Race.
Allegedly kidnapped at his house in Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein, his body was found in the backseat of his car on the N1, outside Bloemfontein on 17 July.
Teboho Lemao, chairperson of the club, said Selemela (46) was one of the 37 members of the club that had registered to participate in this year’s Comrades edition. “Following Selemela’s tragic incident, the club will have representation in 36 runners taking part in the Comrades. The club has decided to run this Comrades Marathon in loving memory of Selemela. Each of the 36 members of our club has committed to bring a medal back home in honour of the man we all loved so dearly.”
Selemela was a Comrade Marathon veteran in his own right having completed both the up- and the down runs of the Ultimate Human Race. His personal best time is 11:26:00, attained in 2019,” said Lemao.
He said the club has created specially designed jerseys engraved with Selemela’s signature. The deceased runner also boasted medals from the Two Oceans Marathon, one of the international ultramarathons staged in South Africa.
The Bloemfontein-based club comprises of 32 men and four women. Of these members, 14 will be making their debut at this year’s Comrades which is a down run route, starting at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finishing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
