Morabaraba Sello, or just “Sello,” as we call him, is a 28 year old Masotho lightning bolt. I met Sello one day out on my typical training run in Maseru, Lesotho. I was putting down the normal slow and efficient pace that ultra-runners get accustomed to, and came across a local runner doing fartlek training by posting some of his buddies at specific light posts with stop watches. While it wasn’t uncommon to see runners out on the road, Sello stopped me and excitedly started asking me questions about running. Not asking me for anything, but just wanting to know more about the sport. I saw a guy who was ready to drink up any help that I could pass his way, and started off by assisting him with my old watch (one of those giant Garmin Forerunners that bent around your arm), and a few small kit items. A few weeks later he sent me a picture on Whatsapp. A simple shot he took of the screen of the Garmin. It said Dist: 10km Time: 29 min. I had to look at it a few times. Once I was convinced that he hadn’t hopped on a taxi and left the watch recording, I knew he had something special in his legs. With a bit of coaching, some extra nutrition and gear, Sello was on his way to running some races in SA. In 2018 he did a few half marathons, and had bad luck with being disqualified for issues with the Lesotho athletes permits. He won a few small events here and there, but then told me he wanted to have a go at the marathon distance. His first Marathon was the Wally Hayward Marathon in 2018, where he placed 7th in a time of 2:29. He also placed 2nd at the Clarens surrender hill marathon later in the year. In 2019, he wanted to focus on Mandela Marathon, and the Soweto Marathon.

During the Lesotho winter, he moved to the area of Oxbow, which is one of the highest and coldest places in Lesotho. He did this with the intention of doing high altitude training. On a training plan I had developed for him, he camped and lived in the mountains for about 2 months, getting ready for Mandela Marathon.

Of course, as luck would have it, the week of the race he got flu and had to drop out around the 20km mark. But he set his sights on Soweto and kept the training intensity high.

Just before Soweto, a few of the Lesotho athletes were given a pair of shoes from a company (I wont name them). This was given as a kind of sponsorship deal, although it only included the one pair of shoes and the requirement that they run with them on. Unfortunately they were not very good shoes, and many of the athletes who used them dropped out. I was following Sello online, and was excited to see him post a halfway time in Soweto of 1:12. A few minutes back from the leader. From there he slowed down, affected by pain in his feet from the shoes. He took them off for the last few kms, and finished in 2:45, in 66th place. Respectable for sure, but he was disappointed.

Knowing his disappointment, I jumped at a substitution entry to the Lesotho Ultra. I was running anyway, and why not let him have a crack at a trail race, seeing as his road schedule was done for the year and he had the fitness to do just about anything.

After winning the 38km Mountain Challenge

Having grown up around the corner from Maliba lodge area, and living life as most basotho boys do, climbing mountains, riding horses and tending the herds, I had no doubt his technical ability would be faultless. With some private sponsorship from friends, Sello was at the start line with a new pair of Asics trail shoes (the only pair of shoes I could find that were small enough!), and all the gear needed for trail races like this one. The back of Sello shooting off the line was just about the last thing anyone saw of him until he crossed the finish of the 38km race in 1st place, 20 mins ahead of the record! What excites me about Sello is his combination of talent, and passion. He just loves running, and will talk to me for ages, just asking questions about how to be faster and better. What to eat? How to train? What races he would love to focus on, and what records he wants to break. His biggest dream is to set a new half marathon world record time. Why not? Sello was born in Butha-Buthe, a northern district of Lesotho. He was born into a family with 2 siblings, and attended a local primary school, finishing standard 7. He moved to Maseru a few years ago, to be among more of Lesotho’s pro athletes, and to learn from them.

His dream is to run, and to do it fast. I’ve always though that the best athletes were the ones who had a combination of talent, and the attitude to put in the hard work to get the results. I firmly believe Sello has what it takes to be great, and I cant wait to see it happen.

(Written by G Strugnell, aka Coach ea Sello)

Here’s a glimpse of our last few months

The first snowfall in July gave me some beautiful views. The reality is that life in the mountains in such conditions is even more harsh than normal. The day of the snowfall was bitterly cold and windy, and we were not able to fly due to the high wi… — The first snowfall in July gave me some beautiful views. The reality is that life in the mountains in such conditions is even more harsh than normal. The day of the snowfall was bitterly cold and windy, and we were not able to fly due to the high winds. The day after, we heard that it was a tough day at the rural clinics, with the nurses doing their best to help patients and send them home to somewhere a little warmer than outside the clinic.

If you follow @pulanechildren on Instagram and FB, you will know that there are always beautiful pictures on there. Here is a little glimpse at the person who provides those great shots! Whenever Emily visits Pulane Children's Centre, she spends the… — If you follow @pulanechildren on Instagram and FB, you will know that there are always beautiful pictures on there. Here is a little glimpse at the person who provides those great shots! Whenever Emily visits Pulane Children's Centre, she spends the afternoons on the playground, observing all the kids and snapping great pics of them in their day-to-day lives.

At Pulane Children's Centre there is an evening ‘Shepherd School.’ No, not a school to teach you how to be a shepherd, but a school FOR shepherds. The boys, and men, spend all day out in the mountains and don’t get a chance for normal daytime schooling. This evening school helps them learn basic reading, writing and math. It is just one of the many projects that fall under the banner of AFACTL (which is the trust that oversees Pulane Children's Centre and of which Emily is the Director). The Shepherd School project itself is managed by Jill Kinsey who lives a semi-retired life in Pulane.

Joe Adams, one of our pilot/mechanics has been hard at work over the last year using his wide range of skills to assist MAF. Joe and I arrived at the same time at MAF-Lesotho, but because he was able to be put to work on fixing planes, I did my flig… — Joe Adams, one of our pilot/mechanics has been hard at work over the last year using his wide range of skills to assist MAF. Joe and I arrived at the same time at MAF-Lesotho, but because he was able to be put to work on fixing planes, I did my flight training first. Now that I am doing regular flying, it has given him a chance to balance his fixing jobs with his flight checkout. At the end of June Joe did his first operational solo in Lesotho! And despite it being winter, he got well soaked by the rest of us!

People are always excited to see the planes arrive to their village. One place in particular, I always notice a group of kids standing in the same spot when I taxi past for take-off. They are always waving and smiling. On one flight in June I stoppe… — People are always excited to see the planes arrive to their village. One place in particular, I always notice a group of kids standing in the same spot when I taxi past for take-off. They are always waving and smiling. On one flight in June I stopped the plane near their hut (the huts are about 10 meters away from the runway) to offload. They were very excited to get closer and see what the plane looked like inside!

I am training for an ultra trail race in September. The last few months have involved me and 2 friends training more and more and enjoying the Lesotho scenery while we are at it. On Father’s Day Jane insisted on joining me for a run!

We get a fair number of Code 1 (Emergency) flights. These are typically pregnant ladies, or head injuries, but occasionally something strange. One day in June I picked up a young girl who had swallowed a coin and it was lodged somewhere in her trach… — We get a fair number of Code 1 (Emergency) flights. These are typically pregnant ladies, or head injuries, but occasionally something strange. One day in June I picked up a young girl who had swallowed a coin and it was lodged somewhere in her trachea! This lady on the stretcher had a broken leg. She had to travel over an hour on horseback to get to the runway closest to her village. In the picture here, I am helping load her in the ‘Ambulance,’ which is a Toyota Hilux pickup.

Some of you may have heard about Sello, my MoSotho (people of Lesotho) friend who is very talented at running. Excuse the picture quality. He is currently living up in the mountains to do high altitude training in preparation for the Soweto Marathon… — Some of you may have heard about Sello, my MoSotho (people of Lesotho) friend who is very talented at running. Excuse the picture quality. He is currently living up in the mountains to do high altitude training in preparation for the Soweto Marathon in November. At his last race, a popular one run by professional marathin runners, he came 7th! We are excited to see how well he does this next time around.

On our recent trip to Pulane Children's Centre, Jane and I got to go on a few fun mini-hiking adventures. Jane is at the age when pretending is a high priority. I would say over the last month she has spent maybe 5 minutes being Jane. The rest has b… — On our recent trip to Pulane Children's Centre, Jane and I got to go on a few fun mini-hiking adventures. Jane is at the age when pretending is a high priority. I would say over the last month she has spent maybe 5 minutes being Jane. The rest has been as Wonder-Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, a duck, a cat, or any other thing that her imagination can come up with in a few mili-seconds. Here, she is walking with her cup of tea, telling me about how I need to be Batman and she will be Batgirl!