Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) recently celebrated the extraordinary achievements of one of its members, Josiah Makoro (67), who has been running the Comrades Marathon for 30 years.
At a special ceremony, the Wattville resident was awarded the prestigious Triple Green Number, making history as the first BAC member to receive this honour.
In recognition of his remarkable dedication, Makoro also received several accolades, gifts, a BAC blazer and a R10 000 cheque from the club.
With his 10 and 20 green numbers already under his belt, Makoro expressed his excitement, sharing that his journey with the Comrades Marathon began with a single race that left him hooked.
“I finished my first Comrades and became addicted to it. I have never looked back,” Makoro said.
Reflecting on his initial goals, he added, “My intention was to complete 20 Comrades races. I told myself I would focus on that goal and I stopped in 2011.
“Afterwards, I shifted my attention to the Two Oceans Marathon in 2012, where I managed to complete three races, but the bad weather in Cape Town pushed me back to the Comrades.
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“Once I reached 25 Comrades, I no longer had to pay the entry fee and that kept me motivated to go for my 30th.
“I plan to run three more races to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Comrades, which has been going for 97 years this year, having paused for two years due to Covid-19.”
Makoro’s love for running started with company relays in 1991.
“Our team did well, and we won. My ex-boss saw my talent and encouraged me to join a club and I joined BAC.
“In 1992, he convinced me to run the Comrades, and even though I thought it was too difficult, I went for it.
“I was 34 at the time, and that race changed my life. Despite the pain, I went back, trained harder, and earned 30 medals.
“I’m grateful to my ex-boss for pushing me.”
Now retired, Makoro credits running for keeping him in excellent health.
“Running keeps me fit, and I have no health issues,” he said proudly.
The BAC expressed immense pride in Makoro’s accomplishments, praising his dedication to both the club and the Comrades Marathon.
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