Local runner chasing marathon greatness
From the quiet village of Nkidikitlana near Mokopane in Limpopo to the bustling streets of Tembisa, Somara Stephen Mashamaite has turned his love for running into a lifelong passion.
What began as a school activity grew into a journey marked by medals, discipline and personal growth.
Somara took his first running strides in Grade Eight during school sporting events.
'I enjoyed it but only took it seriously when I moved to Gauteng in 2003,' he shared.
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Back then, he ran 10km and 21km races purely by instinct and without a watch or timing device.
'I ran by feel,' he added.
His turning point occurred in 2013 when he completed his first ultra-marathon, the 50 km City to City race from Pretoria to Johannesburg, in a time of 04:40:00.
That impressive performance earned him a spot in the prestigious Comrades Marathon the following year.
After completing the Wally Hayward Marathon in 03:06:00, two experienced runners, Avhasei Makananisa and Collen Ferreira, recognised his potential and encouraged him to pursue ultra-distance running more seriously.
Now based in Tembisa, Somara trains diligently.
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He joins the TFG Group for 5km speed sessions every Wednesday and, on rest days, clocks 21km.
On weekends, his long runs often stretch up to 35km.
'I like group training because I learn a lot from others,' he said.
'We motivate each other, and that helps me improve.'
One of Somara's proudest achievements came in 2016 when he earned his first Comrades silver medal, finishing in 07:20:37.
Another career highlight was a personal best of 02:46:00 at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2023.
But not every race went according to plan.
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One of his most challenging moments was the 2019 Comrades Marathon, where he missed the silver medal cut-off by just two minutes, finishing in 7:32:28.
'That two minutes really hurt me,' he admitted.
Fortunately, injuries have not been a major obstacle.
For Somara, running has been a teacher.
'It's taught me discipline, how to work with others and how to be patient,' he said, skills that have shaped his athletic and personal life.
Though not formally part of any charity or community initiative, he firmly believes in collective effort.
He credits his family, friends, colleagues and the Hollywood Athletics Club for their ongoing support, with a special shoutout to clubmate Peter Moloto.
ALSO READ: Local runner reigns supreme at 2024 Soweto Marathon
Balancing work, training and family life takes planning, but with the encouragement of those around him, he makes it work.
His advice for new runners is simple: 'Join a running group to stay motivated. Don't run alone.'
Somara's favourite routes include Olifantsfontein Road to the R101 and Pretoria Road to the Irene Mall. When he needs an energy boost, he turns up the classic tune Shosholoza.
'It lifts my spirits and keeps me going,' he said.
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