Running community honours late John Killar

The Eldorado Park sporting community is mourning the death of long-time athlete and community sports advocate John Killar, a founding member of the Pegasus Athletic Club (Pegasus AC), who died after battling lung cancer on February 4.

Killar, set to turn 65 this year, was a dedicated runner, mentor and community activist whose contribution to athletics and youth development spanned more than three decades.

According to Pegasus AC chairperson Jerome Kenloff, Killar played a pivotal role in establishing the club in the early 1990s and was instrumental in promoting athletics in Eldorado Park and the surrounding areas.

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“He was one of the founding members who helped bring athletics into our community and kept the sport alive for many years,” said Kenloff.

“Killar was part of the team that organised the first Township Marathon and worked tirelessly to grow the event from a small community race into a major annual sporting event.”

Kenloff added that Killar was an avid runner who completed nine Comrades Marathons, several Two Oceans Marathons and many other long-distance races across the country.

“He was always chasing his 10th Comrades to get his green number, but injuries prevented him from completing it. Still, his passion for running never faded,” he said.

Killar’s sporting journey began in the 1970s in Kliptown, where he played soccer before discovering his love for long-distance running in later years.

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He became a key figure in athletics development, encouraging young people to participate in sports and introducing aspiring athletes to competitions across SA.

Killar was also known for his community involvement, particularly through his work with the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, where he assisted with disaster relief and food distribution projects, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“He was a humble soul who always gave back to the community. He travelled to different provinces to assist communities in distress, and was always ready to help people in need,” he noted.

His best friend, Sandy Krauser, who knew Killar for over five decades, described him as a loyal, committed and caring individual.

“Killar was the type of friend who would call you just to check how you are doing. He had time for everyone,” Krauser said.

“If you had a friend like Killar, you had someone who would stand by you no matter what.”

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Krauser said they met as teenagers through soccer and remained close throughout their lives, sharing a passion for running, cycling and community work.

“He influenced me to start running, and we did many races together, including the Two Oceans and the Comrades,” he said.

“He was always encouraging others to join running, saying if we met you somewhere, we would preach running to you.”

He described Killar as witty, disciplined and dependable.

“If John said he would pick you up at 04:00, he would be waiting at the gate before that time,” Krauser said.
“He was loyal, committed and someone you could trust with anything.”

Krauser added that Killar’s passing was emotional for him, noting that they had planned to spend most of their senior years together.

He was my closest friend. We shared everything, even the difficult times with our children, who were battling drug addiction. Losing him feels like losing a brother,” he said.

Pegasus AC members have expressed concern about the impact of Killar’s passing on the club and the annual Township Marathon, where he played a key logistical role, including setting up route markers and helping with race preparations.

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“Losing someone with his experience and institutional knowledge is a big blow for us. He was a mentor, advisor and leader. We will honour his legacy by continuing the work he started,” Kenloff said.

Killar is remembered as a passionate advocate for sport, a mentor to young athletes and a community servant who believed in using sports to uplift young people and keep them away from crime and drugs.

“He always believed sport could change lives. That was his dream, and it is now our responsibility to continue that dream,” Kenloff said.

The memorial service will be held at the Free Baptist Church, 4 Allie Street Ext 9, Eldorado Park, on February 13 at 09:00.

Killar will be laid to rest on February 13.