When Gladwin Mzazi lines up for Thembisa Mile this year, he does so with a perspective few runners can claim: he was there when it all began.

Mzazi finished second in the inaugural Thembisa Mile in 2012, when the race was still a new and unusual addition to the township’s running calendar.

He remembers being excited when he first heard that Thembisa was going to host its own Mile – particularly because it would be run on the road.

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“It was unusual for me, but I was excited,” he recalls.

That excitement was shared by the community.

Mzazi remembers arriving at the start of that first race to find the streets packed, with the Thembisa community turning out in large numbers to witness the historic first edition.

“It was overwhelming. Everyone was excited to witness the first street mile race,” he says.

Once the race began, however, the excitement quickly gave way to competition.

The first 1.6km was fiercely contested, but Mzazi was ready. At the time, he had speed on his side from racing 1 500m on the track, and he had set himself a clear goal before lining up.

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“I wanted to be in the top five and I achieved my goal,” he says. As he approached the finish, his thoughts turned to one thing – his time.

“The excitement was to see my finish time,” he recalls.

Crossing the finish line in the top five was a moment of happiness and pride. Finishing second made his achievement even more significant.

“I was proud of myself and I was already looking forward to the second edition of the race.”

At the time, Mzazi could not have known that he was taking part in the first chapter of an event that would grow far beyond that inaugural race.

“I honestly didn’t know that it would be this big. I mean, even the Mile, it is now a global event.”

Over the years, Thembisa Mile has evolved significantly. The event now includes the 10km, while younger runners are also catered for, creating opportunities for participants across different ages and distances.

Mzazi himself has moved on from the Mile to the longer distance.

“Now, I prefer to run the 10km. I no longer have the speed to compete in the Mile,” he says.

That does not mean the competition has become any easier.

“The 10km also has very tough competition, but good prizes as well.”

For Mzazi, though, Thembisa Mile has always been about more than the race itself. His favourite memories include what happens once the running is over.

“Post-race vibes. It’s a running party!”

And there is something about township races that he believes makes them particularly special.

“There is something special about township races. They have their own culture.”

The significance of Thembisa Mile has also grown beyond the community, with the race being used as the provincial championships – something Mzazi believes demonstrates just how highly regarded it has become.

“It has grown and reached its peak. It has been used as the provincial champs, and that shows that it is one of the best races in CGA.”

Perhaps most importantly, Mzazi takes pride in being able to say he was there on day one.

“It’s really an honour to be part of a historic event in the township. The race has produced lots of Olympians.”

More than a decade after that first starting line, the memories remain.

And for anyone preparing to line up for their first Thembisa Mile, Mzazi has some simple advice:

“Go out there and have fun! It offers a great experience.”

For a runner who witnessed the beginning, watching Thembisa Mile grow into the event it is today is something worth celebrating.

He was there at the beginning, and he is still part of the journey.