Qacha's Nek April 23 – Coach James McKirdy has hailed Olympian Tebello Ramakongoana following his outstanding performance at the Boston Marathon, where he finished sixth and set a new national record of 2:04:18.

The Qacha’s Nek-born athlete’s impressive run in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons also earned him prize money of 13,500 US dollars (about M221,154), marking a proud moment for Lesotho and a significant milestone in his career.

In an interview with the Agency on Wednesday, McKirdy said the performance was in line with expectations, noting that it reflected years of focused preparation and steady development.

“This performance is exactly what we knew he was capable of. His time of 2:04:18 is astonishing, but also something we felt was fully reasonable given his training and development,” he said.

He noted that this year’s Boston Marathon was the most competitive in the event’s history, making Ramakongoana’s achievement even more remarkable.

“This was by far the most competitive Boston Marathon ever, and his placement and performance was one for the ages. We could not be more proud,” he added.

McKirdy described the result as one of the biggest achievements of his coaching career.

“His performance is among the highest achievements I have had the honour to be part of. The time he ran demonstrates all the hard work we have put in together over the years,” he said.

He explained that although the race pace was slower than expected at the start, Ramakongoana remained composed and executed the race strategy effectively.

“I thought the race would start faster, but the field was not as quick as expected. He handled the situation well. When others surged, he stayed steady and did not chase unnecessarily. When it was time to push at 23km, he was ready,” he said.

According to McKirdy, several factors contributed to the record-breaking performance, including increased running volume, new training methods, adequate recovery and improved lifestyle habits.

“His national best time came from multiple factors, including training volume, new workouts, a break from racing for four months, and a focus on proper nutrition and rest,” he said.

He emphasised the historical significance of the time, noting that it ranks among the fastest in the marathon’s long history.

“The significance of this time cannot be overstated. His 2:04:18 is among the fastest ever recorded in the history of the race and would have won nearly all previous editions,” he said.

McKirdy admitted he was briefly concerned when the athlete dropped behind the leading pack but remained confident in the race plan.

“As a coach, it is never easy to see your athlete fall behind, but he remained disciplined and executed the plan perfectly. He understands his body and competition very well, and I am extremely proud of him,” he said.

He also highlighted Ramakongoana’s steady progression over the years, describing the Boston performance as a result of long-term development.

“His progression over time shows the commitment and consistency behind this achievement,” he said.

McKirdy said the immediate focus will be on recovery before determining the next step, adding that the achievement deserves to be celebrated.

“Recovery is important at this stage, both physically and emotionally. There will be time to plan ahead, but for now, this achievement must be appreciated,” he said.

Ramakongoana’s performance underscores his rapid rise in international marathon running and positions him among the elite, while further elevating Lesotho’s profile on the global athletics stage.