81-year-old
Photo Credit: The Running Mann

An 81-year-old South African athlete is in the running to break a decades-old record and make history at the Comrades Marathon!

 

Polokwane, South Africa (08 June, 2023)—In his golden years, Johannes Mosehla still loves a good competition. So much so, that the 81-year-old is lacing up for the Comrades Marathon this weekend where he has the chance to make and break a decades-old record.

This will mark Mosehla’s 10th time conquering the Comrades. Should he be successful in crushing the finish line, the determined runner will make a new record as the oldest person to have ever completed the marathon, dusting the 34-year-old record made by Wally Hayward in 1989.

As marathon guru The Running Mann shares, this will also make him “the oldest person to join the prestigious Green Number club,” by far.

Age Isn’t Just a Number, It’s a Motivator

In a Newzroom Afrika interview, Mosehla shared his confidence in completing the race, noting that he is still strong, as is his dedication.

Mosehla’s training regime is a testament to his dedication and definitely isn’t for the faint of heart (or those fond of sleep). Of his running routine, he shared that he starts training at 2 in the morning!

Mosehla is an inspiration to runners everywhere, from his fellow sportspeople at the Polokwane Athletic Club to those who have never met him. His philosophy ups the pace on the concept that age is just a number, it can also be a motivator!

Joining Mosehla for the Comrades’ are other incredible runners racing for their own causes. One is a rookie who’s dedicating his first time to the Angel Network, while the other is a barefoot warrior who puts himself in others’ lack of comfort; supporting homeless communities.


Sources: Various (Linked Above)
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About the Author

Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue. As a journalist, her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women, social upliftment movers, sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold. When she's not working on a story, she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature.

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