Umkomaas athlete is on the right track
After seeing how many youngsters abuse drugs and alcohol and commit crime, Mluleki Ngidi decided to undertake a 127km challenge this month to encourage and motivate them to take control of their lives by staying away from these activities and focusing on a sport like running.
Mluleki Ngidi (23) is an active member of the Umkomaas Athletic Club who hopes to change the lives of young people through sport.
After seeing how many youngsters abuse drugs and alcohol and commit crime, Mluleki decided to undertake a 127km challenge this month to encourage and motivate them to take control of their lives by staying away from these activities and focusing on a sport like running.
“Running keeps the brain fresh and helps you think positively so I believe that it can only be good for people,” he said.
He will run from Umzimkhulu to Umkomaas on October 23, 24 and 25.
In order to complete his challenge, Mluleki is in need of a proper running shoes, accommodation and refreshments, and any help in this regard will be most gratefully received.
After finishing this challenge, Mluleki plans to visit schools and churches to encourage young people to stay on the right side of the law and to focus on activities which are good for both mind and body.
The Umkomaas runner is described by his athletics club as a humble young man who always has a positive approach to life.
“He loves running and is a very dedicated person,” said Nkosi Mhlongo, chairman of the Umkomaas Athletic Club.
“He participates actively in the club timed trials every Wednesday, and his running has improved since he joined us in 2019.”
Mluleki was on track to run his first-ever Comrades Marathon this year, but unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown put paid to those plans.
His best running time over 42km is three hours and 40 minutes and he hopes that he will be able to put his abilities to the test in next year’s Comrades.
The Umkomaas Athletics Club welcomes all strong willed and like-minded athletes such as Mluleki to join the club.
For more information, contact Nkosi Mhlongo at 079-0537808 or umkomaasathleticclub@yahoo.com
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