In his father’s footsteps – Mandela Youth Run
The son of legendary runner, Willie Mtolo, Mdumiseni has showed signs of retaining the family legacy by winning the juniors’ leg of the Nelson Mandela Day Marathon, the Youth Run that took place on the eve of the main race.
His father, the New York Marathon winner in 1992 welcomed his son at the finish line at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site together with other dignitaries including DSR Chief Director for Sport Coordination and Development, Vijay Balram and KZN Athletics President, Sello Mokoena on Saturday, 25 August.
“It is very encouraging to see that one of my children is following in my footsteps of becoming a champion in road running,” said Mr Mtolo who is now involved in the development of young athletes in his area at the Valley of a Thousand Hills, west of Durban.
The 19-years-old Mdumiseni Mtolo expressed his satisfaction with his achievements. “I’m very happy with my results, getting position one at this event. This is just a boost to my confidence and it is a very clear sign that I will do well at the 2018 SA National Cross Country Championship that will be held in Port Elizabeth on the 8th of September 2018 where I will represent Team KZN,” he said.
The Mandela Day Marathon Youth Run, which is funded by the Department of Sport and Recreation, is part of the pre-Mandela Day Marathon activities which also included a mountain bike race and triathlon contest on the eve of the main event.
The Youth Run had some 3000 participants all drawn from schools in the Umgungundlovu District where the last legacy of Mandela as a free man is documented and celebrated each year.
This year the 5km Mandela Day Marathon Youth Run commenced at the Lions River grounds just ahead of the Capture Site where they eventually finished.
The youth event set the mood for the main race which was the biggest with over 20 000 runners taking part in the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km races,
The Mandela Day Marathon is an initiative by Provincial Government and Umgungundlovu District Municipality which aims to unite people from all walks of life from all over the globe to get together for just one day to walk in the steps of Madiba.
The journey begins at Manaye Hall in Imbali, where Madiba made his last speech and ends at the magnificent capture site where he was arrested by the apartheid police.
The results of the top ten in the Youth Run were as follows:
Boys:
- Mdumiseni Mtholo 00:11:42
- Cyprian Ngidi 00:11:52
- Lungani Ngcobuo 00:11:55
- Bonga Mbanjwa 00:12:21
- Dumisani Shabalala 00:12:24
- Siyanda Nxele 00:12:27
- Nkosinathi Mzolo 00:12:29
- Kwanele Zondi 00:12:57
- Zamani Khuzwayo 00:13:00
- Samkele Sibiya 00:13:01
Girls:
- Dimakasto Mangalisa 00:13:28
- Lonathemba Mnguni 00:13:38
- Noxolo Hlongwane 00:13:47
- Amahle Zodo 00:13:58
- Nonzuzo Maphumulo 00:14:06
- Aphelele Shange 00:14:13
- Thandolwakhe Ndlovu 00:14:15
- Nolwethu Majiya 00:14:27
- Londela Khambule 00:14:39
- Thembisile Soni 00:14:58