Amputee runner guns for Soweto

Luvuno to inspire first-time runners

Following his exploits at the Comrades Marathon last month, amputee runner Xolani Luvuno is gunning for major 42km races, with the Soweto Marathon among those in his wish list.

The organisers of the popular Soweto race have already nominated the 33-year-old as of one of the key speakers at a seminar for novice runners ahead of the race in November.

“I am really proud of myself, especially at how the Comrades Marathon opened the doors for me in terms of exposure,” Luvuno said yesterday.

“I talk serious races these days and my wish is to run Cape Town [Sanlam Marathon] in September and Soweto in November,” added the runner who finished the arduous 90km Comrades race running on crutches.

“I am privileged to be part of the people who will share their stories with novice runners in the Soweto Marathon.”

The Pretoria-based athlete warned that the 42km Soweto race was a difficult course seeing how even the able-bodied struggled to negotiate the scenic route that starts and ends at FNB Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Soweto Marathon Trust chairman Sello Khunou said the seminar at the FNB Stadium Auditorium on Saturday will host 150 registered first-time runners from 11am to 3pm.

“We have themed this year’s race ‘Run Your Great’ as we want to ensure the novices are well-prepared heading into their first 42km in the Soweto Marathon,” said Khunou.

Some of the speakers set to share the stage with Luvuno are Lindsey Parry, an expert coach renowned for his work in the same capacity in the Comrades, as well as former Soweto Marathon champion Joshua Peterson.

Topics at the seminar will include financial advice and drug-free sport.

“Quite often, sports people hit big jackpot at some point in their career but they fail to invest some of the money. Our race pays R250 000 [first prize] and that’s quite a sizeable amount and that’s where our partner Old Mutual fits in,” said Khunou.

“We also encourage clean sport hence we have invited a speaker from the SA Institution for Dr ug-Free Sport.”

‘ ‘ My wish is to run Cape Town in September

/ THULANI MBELE Comrades Marathon runner Xolani Luvuno has put the Soweto Marathon among the races on his wish list after finishing the Comrades in crutches last month.