Running together while apart for Isaac
According to the chairperson of the athletics club, Hloni Motloung, the pandemic did not stop members of their club from honouring its president and runner, Isaac.
July 19 would have been a date for the inaugural Isaac Mabula 10km Challenge by Katlehong Athletics Club (KAC), but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the race was cancelled.
According to the chairperson of the athletics club, Hloni Motloung, the pandemic did not stop members of their club from honouring its president and runner, Isaac.
The chairperson detailed Isaac’s challenges of being a runner during apartheid.
“Isaac started his running career in 1980 under Germiston Callies and two years later he was part of the four members that established Katlehong Athletics Club. From 1990 his medals from Comrades Marathon include four silver medals, two Bill Rowen medals, 21 bronze medals and three Vic Clapham medals.”
The chairperson added that Isaac started running during the apartheid days, where racial segregation was the status quo.
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“During those times black people were not allowed to be in certain areas before 5am. They would be stopped in town while doing a long run and asked what they were doing in the suburbs before 5am.”
Hloni added that this did not stop Isaac and his club from pursuing a passion they loved.
The club held a virtual run where members and other clubs ran from different locations on the same day to maintain social distancing.
“The 10km virtual run honoured Isaac who ran over 2 700 km at Comrades Marathon with his 30 consecutive Comrades Marathon finishes. The run named KAC Isaac Mabula Run, saw runners from all over taking part,” said Hloni.
“The club thanks all its members, Meyersdal Running Group, C16 Running Group, Mnandi Bus Group, Abasubathi, Lesedi AC and Gallopers AC for taking part in this run and making it a successful event, we hoping to build from here and turn it into a memorable event on the road race calendar in future,” said Hloni.
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