Local long distance champion remembered

Local veteran runner Francis Mukuka, who died after being struck by a car, was honoured in Lynnwood last week.

Mukuka (64), who was a member of the Phobians Athletics Club in Pretoria, was tragically killed in the accident in Garsfontein Road two weeks ago.

Last Thursday, the club held a farewell time-trial race in honour of his memory in Lynnwood.

“We believe that Francis would appreciate a send-off from as many of his running friends as possible. It is a fitting tribute to a supremely-talented yet humble man who, at the age of 64, still had so much more running to do,” said Phobians chairperson Graham Gertsch.

“Francis has been a member of our club since 2014 and the one thing that made him stand out was his remarkable athletic ability; he was such a mature runner,” he added.

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Gertsch said that Mukuka was preparing for Two Oceans 56 Ultra Marathon and Comrades Marathon before his death.

Mukuka, who was born in Zambia, has been competing in long-distance races since the early 90s.

“In 1997, he won the World Veteran Championships in Durban, in two vastly different distances, namely 10 000 metres and 42km marathon. Remarkable achievement to win either, never mind both. His lesson for younger runners was: don’t waste your talents. If you have an ability, no matter what your level of achievement, use it to the fullest,” he said.

He later settled in Atteridgeville in 2001 before moving to Bashewa (east of Pretoria), Gertsch said.

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