Xolani Luvuno, who has been recognized by News24 as one of South Africa's 100 Young Mandelas, mainly because of the fact that he completed the 2018 Comrades on crutches, will be participating in the SA half marathon championships in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
He will be joined by another inspirational Eastern Cape athlete, well-known top local runner Chris Mabengeza who was severely injured on Uitenhage Road while training for his 16th Comrades Marathon.
Xolani, grew up in the Eastern Cape and endured many challenges including no parents, dropping out of school, drug addiction, jail, and then bone cancer which resulted in a leg amputation.
Finally, while living as a beggar on the streets of Pretoria, he was given a chance by a random stranger.
Xolani is now a motivational speaker at schools and businesses and encourages people to set meaningful goals and live disciplined lives.
Chris completed the 5km fun run on crutches last year with the support of his running friends and now completely recovered, will be participating in the half marathon on 27 July.
The cherry on the top for all participants in both the half marathon and 5km fun run is that one of them will drive away in a brand new Datsun Go sponsored by the race's prize partner, Eastern Cape Motors.
The half marathon starts at 7am and the 5km fun run at 9am.
The 21.1 km route, credited as the fastest in South Africa, will start and end at Pollock Beach in Summerstrand.
