VIDEO: Pretoria amputee describes his Comrades marathon journey
Xolani finished the 90km marathon - on crutches.
Pretoria amputee Xolani Luvuyo captured the country’s imagination when he finished the recent Comrades marathon…on crutches.
Just over three years ago, Xolani was a beggar and drug addict in the streets of Brooklyn. His leg was amputated eight years ago after he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer.
The 34-year-old athlete told Rekord this week he was overwhelmed by the support he had received.
“People have been very supportive,” Xolani said.
“I’d like to thank my coach Hein Venter and others for pushing me and believing in me. It wouldn’t have been possible if I had not received proper training.”
Training for the Comrades, Xolani started with 5km and 10km runs before completing the 42km Centurion marathon last year.
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“I wanted to run the Comrades last year, but coach Venter said the up run was going to be a problem,” he said.
“As the year went on, I participated in a number of marathons such as the Soweto marathon. My aim was to push myself and finish. I didn’t really care about the cut-off time, as I was preparing for the main race.”
Xolani gave away his strategy for the marathon: “The race started at 5:30, but I was given a five-hour head-start. I walked slowly in the beginning, but as soon as I saw the helicopter, I began running because I knew the guys were coming for me. During the race, it got tougher but I was determined to finish.”
“In the final nine kilometres I got excited when I saw Moses Mabhida stadium. I just wanted to run and finish, but my coach told me to take it easy,” he said.
Xolani said determination helped him finish the race, in 15 hours and 50 minutes.
Xolani has now set his sight on next year’s Ironman Triathlon.
“For now, I’m taking it easy because the Comrades did take a toll on my body. I’m into swimming right now, but next year I want to do the Ironman.”
He also urged the youth to never give up.
“It’s tough sometimes, but nothing is impossible. The most important thing is school. Study and make something of yourself, work hard and you’ll get there.”
Xolani’s manager Marise Groenewald said Xolani’s story was inspirational.
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