Quicksand competitor represents his community

RED BULL Quicksand competition winner Mxolisi Zondi is proud to have put his community on the map. Zondi won the world-renowned competition that was held recently on the Durban shores for the first time.

The competition saw 500 runners take part. Set on the sands of the beaches, competitors ran through the special course in an energy-sapping knockout format, with heats, semi-finals and finals.
This requires more energy from the runners as the course is rigged with giant sandcastles, trenches and rollers, giving competitors a real test of endurance, acceleration and bursts of speed.

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The 26-year-old, who hails from Emkhabathini near Camperdown, said he has always been into athletics, especially running.

“I love to run as it keeps my body fit. The quicksand competition was new to me, but I have always known how hard it is to run on the sand. When I was introduced to the sport, I had a lot to learn. I used to go to the beach every week to practise. I got used to it, and it became easier, but I never thought I would win the competition,” he said.

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Having been unemployed, Zondi said he has managed to spend his time doing the sport. “I am part of a running club in my community. This is where I spend my time. I have been enjoying it, and it is the reason I was introduced to the sport.
“I am the first person to have entered this competition in my community and my running club. I have been able to share my experiences to seemingly interested people. I hope that I will grow the sport and more people will join,” he said.

Zondi completed the 1.6km race in 00:07:12, beating his runner-up by just three seconds.
He said he sees a future in running, and being a participant in the Comrades Marathon is on his bucket list.

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