Marathon runner Fhatuwani Mudau from Khubvi village says he is ready to compete at this year's Comrades Ultra-marathon.
People from around the globe will be flocking to KwaZulu-Natal to participate in the world's most renowned ultra-marathon, which takes place on Sunday, 11 June.
Mudau was spotted running along the Thohoyandou Road towards Tshilamba on Human Rights Day on Tuesday (21 March). When Limpopo Mirror caught up with him, he was looking fighting fit for the approximately 90 km challenge ahead. "I started training for the marathon in early January this year. I have already covered more than 2 019 kilometres since I started preparing, and I feel I am now ready to participate in the Comrades," he said.
Mudau was born in Soshanguve, Pretoria, but relocated to Khubvi village when he was 16 years old. During his school days at Silemale Secondary, he participated in the 100- and 200-metre races. He was nicknamed "Carl Lewis" as people compared him to the legendary American sprinter. Later he tried his luck in marathons and was eventually snatched up by the Maize Meal Phosphate Club, based in Phalaborwa, and stayed with them for five years. "They provided us with groceries to the value of R3 000 every month. For the five years I was with the club, I never bought my own groceries," he said.
Mudau gave special thanks to Skipper Muhanelwa Randima for encouraging and sponsoring him for the last three years. "Skipper Randima is the reason why I am still running today. May the Lord bless him in everything he does in his life," he said.