Racing in step with Luthuli

Hundreds of athletes descended on Groutville for the Luthuli Legacy Walk and Fun Run last Saturday morning.

Founder of the race, Zakhele Gumede, said numbers had doubled from the 200 athletes who took part last year.

“We must stress that there is still a lot of work to be done in terms getting this race the exposure it deserves. We need to take this event to the level of the Mandela Marathon but to do that we will need to roll up our sleeves,” said Gumede.

He thanked all the sponsors and said he hoped more would come on board next year.

The race was launched in 2017 on the 50th anniversary of the passing of Inkosi Albert Luthuli. Luthuli died in a mysterious train accident on the railway bridge in Groutville, on July 21, 1967.

Groutville resident, Venecia Kubisa, won the 8km women race barefoot. She said she had not planned to take part because she was not well, but when she saw the other athletes getting ready, she could not resist the temptation.

“It was a very challenging one for me because I was running barefoot. But it was really fun and I am so happy that I won this race,” said Kubisa, who has been running the race since the inaugural event.

Wiseman Mthembu walked away victorious in the men’s race. Thokozani Sibisi won the men’s walk, while Nontobeko Maphumulo won the women’s walk.

Prior to the race, a fundraising golf day was held at the Umhlali Country Club on Friday with monies raised to be used to support Groutville community-based initiatives.