Local runner Dr Andy Ramavhanda of Louis Trichardt returned from the Boston Marathon this week with the coveted Six Star Medal — awarded to athletes who complete all six of the original Abbott World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.
The Boston Marathon took place on 21 April, with 28,845 runners lining up at the start. For Ramavhanda, who only began running eight years ago, the experience was unforgettable. He finished in a time of 3:49:25, placing 11,460th overall.
"I did not know what to expect, but finishing the race was a dream come true for me. There are no shortcuts here. Success comes from patience. Endurance is the result of long hours of arduous training. I developed a level of patience I never knew I had," he said.
A passionate runner, Ramavhanda aims to complete at least 10 marathons each year. "So far this year, I ran eight," he said. He trains without a coach, relying on his own discipline.
"Running the Boston Marathon proved to me that I can do anything I put my mind to. Mental application is crucial. One has to be mentally prepared — obviously physically too — but because it is so challenging, if you are weak mentally, it will affect your confidence and that will negatively impact your performance," he said.
Ramavhanda's journey to the Six Star Medal began in 2019 when he completed the New York Marathon. He went on to run the Berlin Marathon in 2022, followed by the Chicago and London marathons in 2023. Last year, he also added Tokyo to his list of accomplishments.
Closer to home, he has completed several Comrades ultra-marathons as well as numerous other marathons and ultra-distance events. On 8 June, he plans to be at the starting line in Pietermaritzburg for his seventh Comrades Marathon.
Asked how he balanced a demanding career with training, Ramavhanda said making time for exercise was essential. "The good thing about running is that you can do it anywhere, even inside your yard. The road is open all the time," he said.
As a medical doctor, he encourages everyone to prioritise physical activity. "Exercise is important, regardless of your situation," he added.