An amputee Comrades runner on crutches, who inspired South Africans with his strength and determination, has caused a massive online debate… did he receive a medal after running the ultimate human race?
Ahead of the 2018 Comrades Marathon, Race Director Rowyn James, Xolani Luvuno and his running partner, Hein Venter, discussed Xolani’s wish to run the Ultimate Human Race.
Xolani Luvuno’s participation was a special concession made by the Race Director, since Xolani was allowed 16 hours to complete the race (compared to the standard 12 hours).
Having noted conflicting statements and confusion as to whether Xolani Luvuno was awarded a medal at the finish of the 2018 Comrades Marathon, CMA Chairperson Cheryl Winn has clarified that by prior agreement with Xolani Luvuno and his coach Hein Venter, it was clearly understood by all parties concerned long prior to the race on Sunday 10 June that he would not be eligible to receive a finishers medal.
“Comrades Marathon finishers medals, with the exception of Gold Medals which are awarded to the first 10 male & female finishers, are awarded on the basis of strictly defined time criteria as follows: Wally Hayward for sub-6 hours, Silver for a sub-7½ hours, Bill Rowan for sub-9 hours, Bronze for sub-11 hours and Vic Clapham for sub-12 hours.
“Xolani Luvuno, having been given special permission to utilise the Comrades Marathon route and facilities in his admirable quest to conquer the distance, began his journey at 00:30 a full 5 hours ahead of the field, and completed the distance in a total time of 15 hours and 50 minutes. With all the hullaballoo about a medal, the obvious question which arises is which of the medal’s time criteria did he meet?
“The bottom line is that the Comrades Marathon Association applauds Xolani’s courageous and remarkable achievement and will in due course find some appropriate means to recognise it. CMA is totally committed to the inclusive participation of athletes with disabilities and we will apply our minds to the appropriate means of recognition.” – Cheryl Winn, Chairperson: Comrades Marathon Association
But to acknowledge Xholani’s triumph over adverstiy, a decision was made on race day to grant Xolani a medal.
Hein Venter, the incredible athletes coach and friend, decided in his own capacity to hand Xolani one of his previous Comrades medals as soon as they crossed the line.
The medal had apparently been engraved with Xolani’s name. Hein released his own statement with regards to the medal debacle.
“Xolani and I are both overwhelmed by the incredible response to his courageous run on Sunday. Spectators next to the road, fellow athletes and other members of the public who followed the race on television and on social media gave Xolani the most amazing reception and recognition during and after the race. It felt as though I was running next to a rock star!
When I approached the CMA in January to discuss Xolani’s participation in the 2018 Comrades Marathon, we agreed that Xolani would start 5 hours early to enable him to beat the 17h30 final cut-off gun. Although Xolani was an official entrant, we knew that he would not receive a medal nor that he would be credited with an official finish.
We were just too happy that he was given the opportunity to complete the distance and we respected the cutoffs and medal criteria of the Comrades.
When we crossed the finishing line after 15 hours and 50 minutes, I gave Xolani one of my old Comrades medals which already had “Xolani 2018″ engraved on it. SABC television showed a live broadcast of us at the finishing line and during the subsequent interview I mentioned that Xolani was not going to receive a medal.”
Their hope is that the controversy re the medal will die down, that people will continue to find inspiration for their own lives from what Xolani had achieved and that the CMA will be recognised and honoured for the amazing race that they have presented.
“We salute the CMA for allowing us to run and also for the incredible experience that 20,000 other athletes had on the day due to their capacity to organise such an amazing spectacle.
We trust that Xolani’s run will have a positive impact on the Comrades “brand” and that the Greatest Human Race will continue to be the benchmark against which all other races will be measured.”
Comrades 2018 is not the biggest mountain that Xolani has climbed in his life. Approximately 2 years ago, he was a drug addict who by then had been living under a bridge in Pretoria for 7 years. Running has indeed enabled him to turn his life around!
“I hope that the impact of Xolani’s run will continue to cause positive ripples in his own life as well as in the lives of many others who would have become aware of his feats and will hopefully challenge their own fears and comfort zones.
Xolani’s next mission: Ironman 2019!
Best wishes and thanks again for all the amazing support and kind words.”