Steven Morrison (53) of the Roodepoort Athletics Club conquered the gruelling 3-in-1 Kosmos ultramarathon challenge in a commendable time of 08:08:15.

The race took place in Secunda on Saturday, March 14, featuring three distances: a 10km, 21km and a 42.2km with runners having an option to run one, two, or all three distances.

Morrison ran all three distances and finished the 42km in 04:22:19, 21km in 02:27:10 and 10km in 01:18:46.

Sharing with the Roodepoort Record, he mentioned that he was thrilled with his performances, citing the challenging route and supportive atmosphere as key factors in his success.

“I loved the route. The water points were outstanding and fully stocked, and the people in Secunda were very friendly,” he said

As a seasoned runner with over three decades of experience, Morrison started running in 1988 while still in high school. His love for the outdoors and nature has kept him motivated to continue running, and he also enjoys cycling in his free time.

Also read: Roodepoort parkrun volunteer clocks 100th milestone

This was his first time running the 3-in-1 Kosmos, a feat he had been aiming to achieve since 2002. He has set his sights on bigger goals, however, with plans to tackle his eighth Comrades Marathon this year and his 10th in 2028.

When asked for advice for upcoming long-distance runners, Morrison emphasised the importance of balancing training with enjoyment.

“Train, but also enjoy it while you run,” he said. “On long runs over weekends, do not run the same pace as during the week or races. Allow your body to adapt to a slower pace, as on Comrades Day, you cannot run a pace you never trained in,” he concluded.