Eastern Cape runners jet off for London Marathon
Community effort raises funds for Border pair to realise a dream
Far from the gravel roads of the Eastern Cape, top runners Malixole Kalideni, 31, and Yanga Malusi, 26, will be taking part in one of the world’s most prestigious events, the TCS London Marathon, on Sunday.
The larger Buffalo City Metro community came together to sponsor flights and expenses for the pair, who flew from King Phalo Airport on Tuesday morning for Johannesburg before jetting off to England.
They landed at 5am on Wednesday and will have three days to acclimatise before Sunday’s epic race.
The 42.165km route includes
London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, and had 48,000 participants in 2023.
The Border Athletics runners were offered two charity spaces made possible by the Kotelo Mbekeni Foundation and Reach Out Autism, both based in the UK.
Malusi, 26, from Butterworth, started running in 2011 and has been covering more than 150km a week in training.
“I am feeling very excited about the race,” Malusi said.
“It’s one of the biggest in the world and to be one chosen for the marathon is a big opportunity.
“I’m ready to run and will do my best.
“I want to say thank you to all the sponsors and my club Real
Gijimas and my coach. This is only my second marathon. I love running.”
Malusi explained how running had helped him to provide for his family.
“We come from rural areas where there are more challenges. Running is what puts bread on the table.
“If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be is to trust — don’t doubt yourself.” Numerous businesses, individuals and sports clubs sponsored or raised more than R120,000 collectively for flights, fresh gear and travel expenses.
Alex Kambule of Real Gijimas Athletics Club said: “Yanga is a huge inspiration to our athletes, especially our older kids in our academy.
“This is only his second marathon distance run in his career. It’s a milestone to have the club represented on an international stage.
“He is dedicated and was also doing lots of solo training runs to boost his confidence.”
Kalideni, 31, from Draaibos village in Komga, picked up running 10 years ago and will be completing one of his life’s goals by participating.
“I’m feeling so excited I never thought this could be,” he said.
“It’s my first time going overseas and I’m looking forward to running a good race.
“I really appreciate all the support from the community and sponsors.
“I trained very hard. In a month, I did 250km a week. London is different to a South African race because it’s a flat course; here races are hilly.
“The cold also affects the muscles. I learnt in my training to push through that tiredness. Mostly I’m praying, I want to win my challenge.”
A fundraiser by Old Selbornian Road Runners raised R22,000.
Club president Sharon Bosch said: “We managed to get virtually everything sponsored.
“The entire running community and friends and family, everyone who knows the runners are extremely happy and appreciative and generous in their donations, as were the companies, with everyone fully supporting them.
“It’s a dream that’s now been realised and everybody is behind them.
“It is one of the most prestigious marathons in the world and to get an entry to the London Marathon is extremely difficult, unless you are an elite runner who has been noticed on the world circuit.
“I know people who have been trying to get in for the last eight years and still haven’t got an entry.
“Malixole and Yanga, go out there, enjoy it! You have done all the training and you are out there running against the best in the world and we know you will do us all proud.
“Enjoy the trip, have a great time; we are all fully behind you and will be watching on the 21st of April.”
Sport, recreation, arts & culture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe sent a special message to the pair.
“This is a good example of transformation and what can be achieved when sport is made accessible in all corners of our province,” Kontsiwe said.
“Thank you for all you are doing to promote the road running sporting code and flying the flag of our province high.
“We are elated to have you representing the province on a global stage and we have no doubt you will make us proud.
“Always remember to represent the hopes and aspirations of the people of the Eastern Cape. We wish you strength and endurance.
“On behalf of the Eastern Cape province, we wish you all the best and will be cheering for you.”