Speed walker geared for big breakthrough

Aaron Mahlangu is a South African race walking silver medalist who has worked his way to national podium status without a single sponsor.

The 32-year-old, who works at Umdloti’s Bahia Village complex, has been race walking since 2010 after being introduced to the sport by an old high school coach.

In race walking, athletes have to always keep one foot on the ground and their leading leg cannot bend until the rest of their body has passed it.

This means technique is crucial in achieving competitive speed, with Mahlangu citing hip control as his main source of power.

It may look odd to a first-time observer, but you need only look at the times that top competitors produce to see it is a genuine athletic event.

After winning his first outing with little formal training, Mahlangu soon realised it was a sport he had a natural aptitude for.

“I slowly became more and more comfortable with the technique and had other chances to compete and train. I won many races, including the KwaZulu-Natal championships and representing eThekwini at the South African Local Government Association Games,” he said.

But given race walking’s status as a non-commercial sport, except for the top echelon of athletes worldwide, sponsorship and support opportunities have been limited for Mahlangu, who hails from Amaoti near Inanda.

He could still train however, representing running clubs across Durban since 2014, including Morningside’s Savages Athletic Club with whom he has competed since 2021.

“I try and train every weeknight, but sometimes I can’t with the travel costs to Morningside and back home,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Mahlangu has slowly been plugging away at the unusual sport and achieved his most significant accolade to date when finishing second at the national championships in January.

He faced off against more fancied opposition – including full-time athletes with sponsors – taking on the 35km race in Cape Town.

His time of 3:03.35 (just over five minutes per kilometre) was 11 minutes behind winner Edwin Pule, but comfortably ahead of third placed Mthunzi Mnisi.

“I was very happy with the result, but I want to push myself to win next year and hopefully qualify for an international event with the South African team.”

Top race walkers can be competitive into their early 40s, so as Mahlangu grows into the sport he could still hit personal highs for the next decade.

If you would like to help him do so through sponsorship, you can reach him directly at 067 819 7440.

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