From East London to London Town! The way this community rallied to give two runners (who wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to participate in the London Marathon) their moment in the sun is enough to warm any winter day:
London, United Kingdom (23 April 2024) — For a community in East London, it was all hands on deck to support two runners and their shot at the opportunity of a lifetime—competing in the 2024 London Marathon!
When the Kotelo-Mbekeni Foundation and Reach Out Autism decided to give their community entry slots (an offer for charities to promote their causes) to local runners, they knew it was a decision that would show ‘hardworking and talented young athletes’ who otherwise would’ve have had the chance to participant in such an event, that anything is possible.
With Nomakhwezi Mafaku Manqaba Tutani (a middle-distance, road running legend) in the wings to connect the opportunity with the relevant running community in the Eastern Cape, it wasn’t long until Sharon Bosch (president of Old Selbornian Road Runners) pushed for Malixole Kalideni and Yanga Malusi to be afforded the chance.
Yanga runs for Real Gijimas while Malixole runs for Old Selbornian Road Runners; meaning it would be the first time in roughly 20 years that an ‘Old Boys’ member would participate in the London Marathon.
With a dream to stretch toward, the Eastern Cape community rallied together to give these runners their moment in the sun. From fellow runners and friends helping fundraise to businesses sponsoring flights, clothes and cash toward operational costs and other running organisations like Border Athletics making sure the men would have warm clothes—all efforts went a very long way.
On 21 April, the pair showed London Town their talent at one of the world’s most prestigious marathons. Both enjoyed personal bests and moments of victory as Malixole placed first and Yanga placed 7th in the Masses/Charity section!
“We are all so very proud of both of you, you have shown all athletes that anything is possible if you believe in it and work for it. Your performance is nothing short of phenomenal, you went out and ran the race of your lives and the rest is history. You both deserve to be in the elite field in these races, that was clearly evident,”—Old Selbornian Road Runners.
Thanks to this community, the runners now race in a lane of their own as the legends who showed others it could be done.
Sources: Website Submission—Claire Sutherland; Old Selbornian Road Runners; Brian Kotelo
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