Comrades Marathon Runner Ogopoleng Modise Fatally Stabbed During Jog
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the running community is mourning the tragic loss of Ogopoleng Modise, a 37-year-old Comrades Marathon runner, who was fatally stabbed while on a training run on Saturday.
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Attack and Investigation
According to reports, Modise went for his usual weekend run on July 6th, but he never returned home. After an extensive search by his friends and family, his lifeless body was discovered the following day, July 7th, along the pathway leading from La Verna Hospital to the town.
Investigations indicate that Modise was attacked by unknown assailants while he was on the pathway, leading to his untimely death. The police have launched a murder investigation.
Modise was a well-respected figure in the running fraternity and had completed his eighth Comrades Marathon this year.
Comrades Marathon Runner Stabbed During Jog: The Details
Casper Kempen, a close friend of Modise, shared the heartbreaking details of their search efforts and the tragic discovery of Modise’s body. Kempen revealed that Modise had gone for a solo run, which was unusual for him, as he typically avoided running that route alone due to security concerns.
Kempen highlighted their search efforts that lasted until midnight, and how they resumed the search at dawn.
Kempen recounted the tragic moment when they found Modise’s body at La Verna. He said Ogopoleng was brutally murdered for his watch, headlight, and a warm top.
“My brother Ogopoleng went for a solo run on Saturday afternoon at 17:00. We never ran alone, especially there and because of the sun that sets early in winter. A search till about midnight last night was unsuccessful. Stevie and I decided to look for him this morning, first inquiring at La Verna when we heard a body was discovered by security, moments later. It’s then when we saw how brutally our brother and friend was murdered… for his watch, headlight and a warm top. It’s insane, he was a very special guy and Stevie and myself are beyond devastated. RIP my brother, you have ran your race, we missing you already,” Casper Kempen narrated.