Running Pio....

By Athenkosi Tsotsi

Pio Mpolokeng

Many young South Africans in the pre democracy era worked in the mines, and to keep busy they they played sports; the mines have unearthed many sporting gems and one of those golden treasurers is Klerskdorp born Pio  Mpolokeng.

 From running in the mines, to becoming one of the best athletes in country then evolving to an esteemed world runner. From humble beginnings, Ntate Pio went on to have a prosperous running career.

"I started my athletics career in 1984, then in 1990 I joined a mine in Stelfontein at the Harterbeesfontein Gold mine which was under the Anglo Vaal company, it is about 10km away from my home town.

I was a 800m and 1500m specialist, I won the Anglo Vaal Championship for four consecutive years between 1990 - 1993; won both the 800m and 1500m. Then in early in 1994 I moved to Carletonville and that's where I joined the Westerdriefontein Gold mine. When I got there I was still dominant in my events but there was tough competition from the likes of the the Mogotsi twins, Meshack and Shadrack; there were many top athletes," shared Mpolokeng. 

When at Westerdriefontein Mpolokeng was under the guidance of one of the greatest running coaches to come out of the shores of South Africa. "In Westerdriefontein I got a new coach in Mr. Stoffie Stoffburg, I joined his strong training group which included Hendrick Moganyetsi, Johan Botha, Arnando Malherbe and Jean Vester; I was travelling from Carletonville to the University of Johannesburg for training, everyday. But then unfortunately in 1997 Oom Stoffie passed away." 

Following the passing of his mentor, Mpolokeng took an important career decision, moving to marathons, that decision would be prove to be worthy as it took  him to greater heights.

"I decided to change distance and moved to the road. My first race 15km race in June 1997, it was in Germiston Stadium and I won my first race. Then in 1999 I moved to the full marathon, my first marathon was in Cape Town at the Peninsula Marathon, I won with my pb (Personal Best) of 2:18:22."

After doing well locally, the next step for Mpolokeng was to move onto the international scene, and when he arrived there, he did not disappoint, when he got there his star continued to rise. 

"It was in November 2000 when I started to run international marathon's, the first one was in the United State of America at the Los Angeles Marathon where I finished fourth. I won the Dublin City Marathon in 2001, it was the first international marathon, then the following year I won the Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea." 

During his highs in the early 2000's Mpolokeng was putting measures in place for life after running, he was focusing on his coaching career, concentrating on development. A key component in his coaching career has been Nick Bester, the two have have discovered more than 200 athletes.

Mpolokeng has a good track record as a coach, his developed some of the countries elite runners including the likes of Tshepo Tsibe, Nyedimane Chabedi, Kgosi Tshosane, David Mania and Joel Mmone. National recognition came for Mpolokeng when he was named cross country coach.

"In 2017 I was selected as a national coach for the Cross Country World Championships in Madagascar, the country was represented six athletes; three male athletes and three female  athletes and three of them were from my development"

Mpolokeng scouts and develops athletes are the region of North West, his athletes stay in a safe camp and attend school at Are- Fadimeheng High School in Klerksdorp. Like many in the sporting world, the development  has felt the impact of the coronavirus, their development athletes have been sent home as the running season has been suspended. 

"We sat down with our development athletes and explained to them what the Covid - 19 is and the lockdown regulations are, it was not easy but they understood. Our athletes stay at home and follow the lockdown regulations, all our development athletes are not training; only senior athletes are doing easy training once a day," elaborated Mpolokeng.

The uncertainty the has been brought by the pandemic can not be underestimated but Mpolokeng has pleaded for togetherness from the sporting world during this time.

"For now there is no one that knows what is going to happen, because the covid 19 is a global thing. All sport codes are closed for now, there's nothing we can do. In general we have to work together and fight against covid 19 to protect our sports and athletes," 

The rush to get back to the running field must be high for Mpolokeng and his athletes , there's plenty to come from the running great.