Hillbusterz athletics club buzzing with pride
As their young runner bags Gold in 10km Kloppers Marathon
SEBONGILE MATHE
MASERU – Rising star, Senzo Fombatha, had a day to remember last Saturday February 8 when he bagged a Gold medal in the 10km race of the 34th Kloppers Marathon in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Hosted by Achilles Running Club and segmented into 42.2km, 21.1km, 1okm and the 4.8km races, the Kloppers Marathon is supported by over M43 000 in prize money – and is described as an athlete’s battle to conquer the road and their limits.
The Kloppers Marathon is also a Comrades and Two Oceans marathons qualifier.
Fombatha is a product of Maseru-based Hillsbusterz Club, an institution born from a shared passion for sports and deep commitment for fostering healthy lifestyles. They are also driven by a vision to elevate sports in the country to a professional level.
Hillbusterz Club was founded in 2016 with just 11 members, and has grown significantly to 47 members.
From its inception, the club has been driven by love of sports and commitment to promoting good health. However, according to president, Thabang Lenono, speaking in an interview with Public Eye following the Kloppers Marathon, in 2024 the club made a decision to shift its focus towards nurturing young talent and developing top-tier runners.
Lenono emphasised the club’s dedication to this goal, highlighting the potential of athletes like Fombatha, a promising young runner the club is committed to supporting on his journey to success.
“This strategic move underscores the club’s ambition, to not only to foster healthy lifestyles but also contribute to the professionalization of sports within the country,” said Lenono.
Lenono revealed that the club consistently fields at least 20 runners annually across various races in Lesotho and South Africa, hinged on a tradition of participation in iconic events such as the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, where they have at least five runners competing each year.
In the country, Hillbusterz has made significant impact on the local running scene, with Lenono highlighting their active participation in the Maseru City Run Marathon, where they are sending an impressive 22 runners this year. The club has also demonstrated a strong presence at the 2024 Minet Marathon with over 20 participating runners.
Lenono proudly points to the club’s consistent presence in a variety of prestigious races, where they have etched an impressive record of athletic participation and achievement.
Speaking to this publication Fombatha said the victory marked a significant milestone in his running career. He described the win as an emotional one, his first time taking the top spot, and expressed his renewed motivation and commitment to hard work and consistency.
“I am very ambitious and have my eyes set on achieving the highest world records in running,” he said.
He traces his passion for the sport back to his high school days in 2018, where he began running at the age of 15.
Reflecting on his winning strategy at the Kloppers Marathon, Fombatha explained his initial plan was to pace himself and react to his competitors, only to make a push after the 7km mark.
However, he found himself in the lead by that point, with a 500m gap between him and the second-place runner, and that ultimately secured his victory.
Fombatha’s success story serves as an inspiration for other young athletes within the Hillbusterz Club and underscores the club’s vital role in developing future champions, according to Lenono.
The Hillbusterz have made a strong showing at the AECI Miellie in Welkom, South Africa, with 25 runners participating in a single event. They also regularly sent around seven runners to the challenging Surrender Hill Marathon in Clarens.
Their reach extends to the Soweto Marathon and the Kaapsehoop Marathon in Nelspruit, where they send approximately 15 runners annually.
These accomplishments demonstrate the Hillbusterz’s commitment to competitive running and their growing influence within the regional racing scene.
Beyond competition, the Hillbusterz are actively contribute to the development of the sport in the country through two marathons of their own which they organise.
Their main event, the Hillbusterz Long Marathon, anchored by Alliance Insurance, is scheduled for April 26 this year, following a successful event held on May 4 of the previous year. Additionally, the club will host the Hillbusterz Half Marathon on October 25, just as it was held in April last year.
These initiatives showcase the Hillbusterz’s dedication to promoting running within Lesotho and providing opportunities for athletes to test their limits.
