Amputee runner Xolani Lovuno completes 90 km at Comrades Marathon

Xolani Luvuno, 33, was five hours into the race when the rest of the field started at 5:30 a.m. He had been granted additional time after a wound on his amputated right leg left him unable to utilize his running blade, according to News 24, an African news outlet. Race organizers granted him the additional time on the course, but said he would not be an official participant of the race because it would take longer than the 12-hour cutoff time. He says that the marathon required a lot of training.   “It helped me to turn my life around because I used to be an alcoholic, going to parties. So I see myself not partying anymore, instead concentrating on my running.” He had this to say at the finish line: “I wanted to make sure that I finish before cut-off time and my coach said to me don’t rush because the Comrades Marathon is not 42km, it’s a big race. I want to say thank you to the supporters who cheered for me on the route, as well as the director of the Comrades Marathon for giving me this chance.” But just like he had overcome a lot in his life just to make it to this race, Luvuno was there to overcome the course. He did just that when he crossed the line in 15 hours, 50 minutes. 

posted Monday June 11th