Johannes Mosehla, a renowned 81-year-old runner, has added another impressive achievement to his athletic career by becoming the oldest finisher of the Comrades Marathon. He is now set to make his debut at the Knysna Forest Marathon, which takes place on Saturday, July 8th.
Mosehla’s Journey
Mosehla’s running journey began in primary school during the early 1960s. Despite excelling in shorter distances, it wasn’t until 1974 that he decided to run his first marathon. He ran for various clubs, including those affiliated with mines, before eventually joining a club that later became Polokwane Athletic.
However, in the late 1980s, Mosehla took a 20-year break from running. It wasn’t until 2003, at age 60, that he returned to the sport and took on the Comrades Marathon for the first time in 2005.
Comrades Marathon Record
In 2019, Mosehla claimed the title of oldest runner to finish the Comrades Marathon, surpassing Wally Hayward’s record from 1989. He completed his 10th Comrades in a time of 9:26:09, ranking among the top third of the 14,895 participants. Mosehla has received praise and recognition from various sources, including South Africa’s Cabinet and Limpopo premier Stanley Mathabatha.
Role Model for Younger Runners
Mosehla’s remarkable journey has made him a role model for younger runners, inspiring them with his longevity and determination. Many of these athletes express their hope to run at his age and applaud his ability to maintain such a high level of performance.
Knysna Forest Marathon
Looking ahead to the Knysna Forest Marathon, Mosehla is excited about the opportunity to run in a national forest. He has previously participated in two PetroSA marathons in Mossel Bay, but the Knysna Forest Marathon will be his first outing at this marquee running event. He approaches the challenge with confidence and states, “Yes, I’m ready for it. I Googled the race on my cellphone and liked the idea of running in a national forest. I am expecting to run well.”
Mosehla’s Training Approach
Mosehla’s training approach is dictated by his body and how he feels, often training three times a week. His belief in the importance of listening to one’s body has contributed to his success as an ultra-distance athlete in his eighties. Mosehla sees his ability to continue running at this age as a “gift from God who knows who will be alive for a long time and who will be strong.”
Mosehla’s participation in the Knysna Forest Marathon serves as a testament to his dedication and passion for running and will inspire countless others to discover the joys of endurance sports. His presence in the 7,000-strong field will undoubtedly bring greater star power to the event.
