Vhembe's well-known barefoot marathon runner, Humbulani "Rasta" Mudau from Tshikota, reckons he is ready for this year's Comrades ultra-marathon.
People from around the globe will be flocking to KwaZulu-Natal on 8 June to participate in the world's most renowned ultra-marathon. Among the 22,000 runners expected to line up in Pietermaritzburg for the start will be a few dozen from Vhembe. Mudau, who intends to be one of them, has already completed several of the country's top marathons, so he knows what to expect. He recorded his best time at the Comrades in 2024, when he finished in 10:09:45.
He was spotted training in Louis Trichardt last week. When Limpopo Mirror caught up with him, he was looking in good shape and well-prepared for the 90 km route, which ends in Durban this year.
"I started training for the marathon early in January this year. I have already covered many kilometres since I started preparing, and I feel I am now ready," he said.
Mudau added that he had trained hard and was hoping to improve on his time. "Everything comes from commitment and focus. I am focused and determined, because I run for a living, and with the support I get from my team, I hope for the best."
He acknowledged and thanked all the people who have sponsored him throughout his running career. "Many people have sponsored me financially, morally and encouraged me to work hard. If it were not for them, I don't think I would have made it this far," he said.
His advice to other athletes who want to achieve their goals is to stay focused and put everything in God's hands.