After Mthabiseni Mboniswa’s moving social media post went viral, the organisers of the Thembisa Mile took swift action, tracking down a promising young runner who had inspired Mboniswa.

At the 12th annual Thembisa Mile, Ekurhuleni’s most loved township race, Mboniswa was one of 2 500 participants competing at Olifantsfontein Sports Grounds on October 27.

Running alongside dedicated athletes, he noticed a young boy with an undeniable passion for running, dressed in oversized shorts, a pink shirt, and a pair of well-worn Converse All Stars.

The sight of the determined youngster stirred something in Mboniswa, prompting him to take to social media.

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In an emotional Facebook post, he asked the public to help him connect with the boy so he could gift him proper running shoes, a gesture of encouragement and belief in the young runner’s future.

Race founder and director Donald Mathipa confirmed they had reached out to the young boy through Thulani, a community member who had lent him his race number to participate.

“After speaking with Thulani, we were able to reach the boy and his mother, who were both deeply touched by Mboniswa’s offer,” shared Mathipa.

“We’ve even shared his mother’s contact information with others in the community who want to contribute.”

Mathipa was moved by the community’s outpouring of support, noting that this spirit of unity reflects the essence of Thembisa Mile.

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“Mboniswa’s gesture and the wider community’s response remind us why we do this, it’s about inspiring and uplifting one another,” he said.

While celebrating the power of community, Mathipa also reminded athletes of the importance of adhering to race guidelines and age restrictions set by Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and Athletics South Africa (ASA), encouraging proper registration and substitutions.