Ludwick 8th in Jerusalem run
LIMPOPO born athlete and 2012 Comrades Marathon winner, Ludwick Mamabolo, recently finished eighth in the 42,2 km Jerusalem Marathon in Israel.
LIMPOPO – LIMPOPO born athlete and 2012 Comrades Marathon winner, Ludwick Mamabolo, recently finished eighth in the 42,2 km Jerusalem Marathon in Israel.
Some 25 000 runners competed in this race that Mamabolo finished in two hours and 30 minutes.
Mamabolo was approached by the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), Mizrachi South Africa, and ORT SA to be a partner in their 2015 unity challenge campaign, which included various pre-running programmes, training runs as well as the trip to Jerusalem to participate in the Jerusalem Marathon.
“I was in Israel for just over a week and my visit included seeing many of the Bible’s holy places like Nazareth and Jerusalem. To run through the holy sites was overwhelming and very uplifting.
It was a real privilege to run through the most holy streets in the world. I ran through the old city, which really affected me and made me proud.” said Mamabolo.
He said he used the Jerusalem Marathon as official preparation run for the 90th Comrades Marathon in May, which he previously won in 2012.
Speaking on behalf of the Mizrachi organisation, Joshua Gavronsky, said it was an honour to send a Comrades Marathon champion to run in Jerusalem.
“Jerusalem became a beacon of light for all South Africans when Mamabolo, a South African hero, ran in its streets and accomplished this great feat. The message was one of peace, joy and truth for South Africans to encompass the true reality of what Jerusalem and Israel was all about,” Gavronsky said.
Charisse Zeifert, head of communications at the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, said she was proud at how well Mamabolo did in the marathon.
“It is important that people from South Africa visit the holy land to experience Israel beyond the conflict,” she said.
Mamabolo said the marathon was the beginning of his use of sport to raise awareness for special causes.
“I have started my own training academy where mentored young runners so they too can reach the top like I did. I believe that sport is a powerful channel to make a difference.”
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