Alberton teacher overcomes severe ankle injury, finds new passion in marathon running

Oscar von Platen, the mathematics head of department (HoD) at Alberton High School, took up marathon running to overcome a devastating ankle injury and is now hooked on running.

Von Platen’s life changed on July 8, 2014, when he tore all his ankle ligaments on an overseas school tour with the badminton learners. His doctor said he would have lost all use of his foot without surgical intervention.

“My road to recovery was not easy – spending at least an equivalent of two years on crutches over eight years. Three surgeries later, including an ankle fusion, I could finally walk pain-free on both feet. I had always led an active lifestyle before my injury, but after it, I thought I wouldn’t even be able to ride a bicycle again,” Von Platen explained.

“After injuring my ankle in 2014, I was only active again in 2016. Eventually, I began walking. The walking turned into jogging, and eventually, I joined the running club where I started training,” Von Platen continued.

As his first road race, he ran the Absa Joburg 10K in September 2022. Von Platen recently ran the Cape Town Marathon, completing it without much marathon experience while dealing with torn ankle ligaments. He also completed the Soweto Marathon on November 3.

He began training with the Run Zone running club in Meyersdal to prepare for the marathons.

“I did 10km runs, moved on to 15km and then 30km to prepare for the full marathon. We did hill exercises, cardio and a lot of mental endurance activities, which was great preparation,” said Von Platen.

Von Platen now prepares for the Johnson Crane Marathon in Benoni in 2025, then the Two Oceans in Cape Town and, finally, the Comrades Marathon.

“Interacting with my learners who do cross-country running at school is a great motivator for me as a teacher. My family has been so supportive, and they follow me when I compete, which helps me a lot,” concluded Von Platen.