Long-distance runner Paul Kasu received an early birthday present when he shattered his marathon personal best with a podium finish at the recent MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon.

The Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) athlete clocked a lifetime best of 2:30:04 to finish second behind winner Julius Kipchirchir, obliterating his previous mark of 2:31:31, set at last year’s Johnson Crane Marathon, by more than a minute.

“I’m the happiest man ever this time. I’m approaching my 40th birthday and I broke my record. What a nice way to celebrate,” he said.

Running in wet, cold and gloomy conditions, Kasu adopted a conservative approach in the early stages before making his move after the 28km mark when he realised he was among the athletes chasing the leader.

“I was running with a guy at 28km, but I dropped him and told myself to stick to my pace because I was comfortable. I was averaging around 3:30/km. I just held on and then saw the chasing group starting to slow down.

“I increased my pace and then saw another guy who was ahead of me. I caught up with him but my pace at that time was slow. I eventually passed him. I didn’t know I was now second behind the leader. I thought I was third. Then, as I approached the corner into Carnival City, that’s when I started hearing people saying I was second.”

Also Read: #Comrades2025: BAC’s Kasu smashes down run PB

The performance served as a timely confidence booster ahead of next month’s Comrades Marathon, where Kasu will target a fifth consecutive silver medal. Although the 40-year-old admits inconsistent training has affected his mileage, he is aiming to improve on his up-run best of 6:53:37, achieved in 2024.

“The goal this year is also a silver medal. I’m finding it hard to train. I have speed, but I don’t have mileage. I feel tired, but I will try my best in the race,” said Kasu.

After the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) announced that this year’s up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg will cover 85.77km – the shortest route in recent history – Kasu warned runners against underestimating the challenge.

“It’s going to be difficult. People must not be deceived by the shorter distance. There’s no difference. I don’t see the difference. You have to train like you are preparing for the full route. If you think you will take advantage of the shorter distance, sometimes you might fail.”

Also Read: Kipchirchir, Silale shatter course records at Carnival City Marathon