Not even a near-death experience could stop Charles Moloto from running… the South African was struck by lightning which paused his love for the sport, but he is back in 2022 and ready to take on the Comrades Marathon.
Johannesburg, South Africa (17 July 2022) – Unlike the rest of us reeling from fuel price increases, Charles Moloto lets his feet do the talking by jogging to-and-fro work daily. Moloto, 47, is a Pest Controller at Halfway House in Midrand, Region A. His next big race is the 2022 Comrades Marathon.
After two years of cancellations due to COVID-19 restrictions on sporting events, the annual ultra-marathon (90km) is finally back.
“Running is my passion. I’ve been running since an early age. Even in primary and high school, I was an active runner,” says Moloto.
Not even a near-death experience could stop Moloto from running. In 1997, he was struck by lightning. He was injured from his leg to his stomach. He has struggled to run since then due to extreme pain. In 2008, he stopped running competitively but resumed in 2019, and in 2022, he trained hard enough to participate in marathons.
In early March, Moloto ran a 42km race in Welkom, Free State, and completed it in two hours and 42 minutes, which landed him in third overall position. Shortly thereafter, on 26 March, he completed another 42km race – the Mall of the North Marathon – this time in Polokwane, finishing in two hours, 27 minutes, and 34 seconds. It landed him the fourth overall position and the third veteran position.
His next race was a 48km marathon in Centurion, which he completed in three hours and 11 minutes. He was the sixth overall and the first in the veterans’ category. In early May, Moloto completed a 60km marathon in three hours and 50 minutes.
He says when he gets tired, he is often motivated by the urge to overtake the runners in front of him. He says the marshals on the route also egg him on when his batteries get flat.
Moloto is currently preparing for the Comrades Marathon on Saturday, 27 August. It will be his first.
“I am a nervous wreck, but I want to surprise myself.”
The father of four, three girls and one boy, from Tembisa, says his love for running has rubbed off on his 21-year-old son. The two of them enjoy training together.
“He does it better than me. He is faster and younger.”
To prepare mentally for a race, Moloto says a short prayer: “Please help me and be with me.” He is then energised and ready to do his best when the starter’s gun goes off.
Moloto appreciates the support of his Region A colleagues in his running journey and can’t wait to conquer more marathons in the future.
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