Sojola breaks Africa record at Backyard Ultra World Champs
Local athlete, Thembinkosi Sojola, from the Bayethe Multisport Academy in Civic Park, KwaNonqaba, represented South Africa at the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra Individual World Championships in Tennessee, USA.
At the Big Farm in Short Creek he competed for the title, Last Man Standing, on 21 October.
With 50 of the world’s top trail runners, and racing against some of the best athletes globally, Sojola improved his personal best and broke the Africa and South Africa records at the event.
His Backyard Ultra World Champs 2023 came to an end on Tuesday, 24 October.
He started lap 56 but didn't make it back in time, thus officially completing 55 laps which is a staggering 368.83km. That equates to two days and seven hours of running. He improved by 12 laps on his previous 43 Laps. He currently is ranked 90th on the world ranking.
"Tembi showed incredible determination and he should be extremely proud of himself and his achievement," says William Bennet from the Bayethe Multisport Academy.
Sojola has participated in numerous trail running events countrywide. He was introduced to the Backyard Ultra format in 2021. He is the 2021 South African record holder for the Backyard Ultra. He was also the last man standing for South Africa during the World Team Championships in 2022, earning his place at the US World Champs.
His only obstacle was obtaining enough funding to take part in the Individual World Champs, but with sponsors and a Back-a-Buddy profile, he made the Garden Route and South Africa proud.