In an interview with the Lesotho New Agency (LENA) on her return, Lechela said she would begin intensive training for the London marathon immediately as she was determined to make a mark in the race. A win would  boost her chances of being invited to more international races, she said.

"I would also get a chance to catch the eyes of international agents as well as stand a good chance of securing sponsorship from big companies," she said.

Speaking about the Hong Kong marathon, Lechela said she could have done much better had it not been because of the rainy and humid conditions the race was being ran under.

Chaplin Mpomane, Lechela's coach, said he is going to switch her over to running shorter distances like the10 to 21 kilometre races to increase her speed.

Lechela was the first black athlete to cross the finish line in the Hong Kong marathon, beating even well known Kenyan athletes. From the remote areas of Makhaleng in the Maseru district, she was
the only female athlete to represent the country in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games in Greece last year.

 

03 March 2005