Robbers no match for city runner

MARATHON runner Michael Ndlovu, 52, escaped a potential attack on Thursday morning after being confronted by armed men on his way to work – by sprinting away.

For the veteran runner, who is training for the 39th Virgin Money London Marathon on April 28, the would-be attackers had little chance of catching him.

Ndlovu gets up every day at 2.30am and, at 2.35am, sets off on the road from his home in Ntuzuma, northwest of Durban, to his workplace in the city, running all the way there. He runs home, too – clocking up an estimated 40km daily.

Ndlovu, who works as a groundsman at a Morningside home, said he normally arrived at work at about 4.30am.

“I was running along as usual and it was before 4am, which is when there are a lot of runners on the road and it was very quiet. A car came past me, suddenly did a U-turn and stopped close to me.

“Two men got out and one of them pointed a gun at me. I think there were some other men in the car.

“I ran away, jumped over a fence and hid in a yard. I think they tried to drive around the block to look for me, so I jumped back over the fence and ran away.

“I ran to the railway station and took a train to work,” said Ndlovu, whose hand was badly gashed when he jumped over the fence.

He was determined not to let the incident mar his preparations for the London Marathon. He will fly to the UK on April 24.

Ndlovu has been running for more than 20 years and has competed in 16 Comrades Marathons. His best time was 6.49.41 when he was placed top in the 50+ category and he has competed in many other marathons and races over the years.

Of the nearly 400 000 runners who applied to be part of this year’s London Marathon, only 38 000 were accepted.

Ndlovu’s employer, Jonny Friedman, chief executive of commercial property urban regeneration specialists Urban Lime, helped him enter the prestigious race. Ndlovu will be raising funds for Fields in Trust, a UK charity which focuses on preserving green areas for public use and gets the green thumbs up from Ndlovu, who spends his days in the garden.

“Michael’s passion for running is an inspiration to us all.

“Urban Lime are very proud to have Michael represent Durban and South Africa in one of the most elite marathons in the world.”

* To support Ndlovu’s cause in the marathon, visit uk.virginmoneygiving. com/michaelndlovu