Pace-setting prince to lift Heroes field
Sangoni up for Mthatha race
They are called “pacesetters” in road running as their roles in marathons push runners to achieve better times and defy difficulties along the way.
Prince Vulithuba Sangoni of AbaThembu is one of the pacesetters who have participated in some of the country’s acclaimed major races like the Comrades, Soweto and Two Oceans marathons.
“We have helped many athletes qualify for Comrades,” Sangoni told Sowetan.
“Sometimes I receive calls from people thanking me [for the fact] that we helped them do better times, people we do not know personally. We bring vibe in the marathons. We sing and play music instruments. That motivates runners to keep on pushing until they reach the finish line.
“We train hard, like professional athletes. I am under Capital City Active running club [based in Pretoria].
“Our coach is Madoko Ndhlovu.”
The 33-year-old father of three and co-chief executive of Nciba Grain Group, an agricultural company, will be pace-setting at the Heroes Marathon from Mthatha Airport to Qunu in Eastern Cape on Sunday.
“I am ready for Heroes Marathon. I will be leading my team, which is called the African sub-finish bus. For many runners it’s not easy to run a consistent pace for 42km and that’s where we assist them by telling them not to give up and cheer them up.”
Sangoni has used his influence as a royal to open a running club of 20 members in his home town of Mthatha, aiming to inspire the locals to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle.
“I want people to see the importance of healthy lifestyle. I run with them when I am back from Gauteng. They are motivated to see the prince running with them.”
‘ ‘ We bring vibe in marathons. We sing and play music