Welcome to “Makhosonke Fika – Langa’s ultimate running talent” profile , as we plot his rise from a teenager in Langa, a township, in Cape Town, South Africa to the roads of Boston, Paris and Fukuoka to name but a few. – Time-to-Run source
Makahosonke Fika – Langa’s ultimate running talent
When 27 year old Makahosonke Fika ran a stunning 2Hr 10min marathon on his debut at the Paris Marathon on 4th April 1999, no one felt that the man didn’t deserve the success more than the people of Cape Town.
For long has he been one of the favourite son’s of his township Langa in Cape Town, South Africa. Here was a man committed to his sport as well as loyal to those who have supported him throughout his running career. He has been with the same coach since those distant days in the early 80’s. That coach being Dave Spence from Pinelands Athletic Club, suburban residential area alongside that of the Langa township.
From the early years did Makahosonke travel the short distance to training sessions in Pinelands under the watchful eye of his coach. As a 15 year old, his talent was noted and the only concern was that life in the townships might have swallowed him up. The bond that has grown between coach and athlete is a powerful one and has weathered many a storm, they have stood fast together and now get to travel abroad on occasions. Last year, was their turn to travel to Japan, where “Shonks”, as he is fondly known, finished 6th cementing his name as an international athlete of promise.
In July 2001, Fika again proved himself, as an athlete who performs on the day, by finishing 3rd at the South African Half Marathon Championships in East London. His time was 61min 58 sec, a new Personal Best (PB) as well as a new Western Province record, thus cementing his legacy as the fastest man, born in the Cape, from 10km’s to the marathon.
| Makahosonke Fika – Statistics | |||||
| Born: 22nd January 1972 from Langa, Cape Town South Africa |
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| Best performances: | |||||
| Track: | Road: | ||||
| 3000: | 7:55:59 | 1995 | 10km | 28:27 | 1998 |
| 5000: | 13:32:36 | 1996 | 15km | 43:34 | 1998 |
| 10000: | 28:30:09 | 1998 | 21.1km | 61:58 | 2001 |
| marathon | 2:10:39 | 1999 | |||
| Career Progression | |||||
| 3000/5000/10000:1995 – 7:55.39/13:35.21; 1996 – 8:18.86/13:32.36/28:46.1;1997 – 13:48.47; 1998 – 8:22.3/13:44.76/28:30.9;1999 – 13:50.61/28:36.07;2000 – 28:32.75 |
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| 10/15/21.1 km: 1993 – 29:19/45:51; 1994 – 29:16/45:01/63:44;
1995 – 29:28/45:50/64:10; 1996 – 29:04/44:43/64:53; 1997 – 28:57/44:36/63:04; 1999 – 28:41/44:41/62:49; 2000 – 30:01/45:09/62:23 |
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| Has run sub-30 for 10 km 34 times and sub-29 six times, sub-45 for 15 km seven times, and sub-64 for the half marathon six times. |
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Has run sub-30 for 10 km 34 times and sub-29 six times, sub-45 for 15 km seven times, and sub-64 for the half marathon six times.
It makes for interesting reading to see the man’s progress as he knocks down all the barriers in his strive to reach the top.
Fika has proven himself as a man for all season’s and has represented his country on the road, track and cross country, quite an achievement for the lanky “boy” from Langa. Time-to-Run continues to support Makhosonke Fika in his local and international pursuits and wishes him all the luck in his numerous running adventures abroad.
Time-to-Run source
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