Local runner heads to Brazil
A 40-year-old athlete from Tembisa is preparing to compete with other masters from around the world in Brazil later this year.
Johannes Makgetlha, from the Irene Road Running Club, said he qualified to participate in the Brazilian race earlier this year.
“I am happy to have qualified to compete with some of the best running masters in the world. Today’s marathon was also part of my preparation for the big race,” he said.
Because of a lack of sponsorship, Makgetlha uses a train to and from training in Irene.
“Sometimes trains just stop for long times in the middle of nowhere. In such situations, I alight and run to Irene,” he said.
Makgetlha is pleading with the business community to also help runners as they are struggling.
“Most companies sponsor sporting codes like soccer and rugby. I think it is time to also look at other sporting codes, as we cannot all be soccer players,” he said.
