Comrades gold medallist joins KPMG Running Club

RUFUS Photo (36) will wear blue in the Soweto Marathon on November 6.

KPMG Running Club signed the three-time Comrades gold medallist last week, adding star power to its already impressive portfolio of elite athletes.

“We are immensely proud to have Photo running in our distinctive colours. One of our key objectives this year was to build a strong team which is even more reflective of the demographics of South Africa. Our women ultra runners have exceeded all expectations. With Photo joining the team, we will be able to compete for gold in the male category of the ultra races as well. Photo is a great advert for the sport of running, having come from humble beginnings, he juggled a day job, family and a passion for running to get where he is today. I strongly believe that his best is yet to come,” said Pierre Jacobs, chairman of the KPMG Running Club and partner at the firm.

“I am blessed to have an amazing support structure. My wife, Melba and my son, Itumeleng are my rock. My coach, Johan van der Merwe, and other friends from PRR are the main reason why I have achieved so much in life, not only my achievements in ultra-running but also in uplifting my living standards in order to provide a better life for my family. There are many people who assisted me on this journey, from being a car guard to be in the position of receiving an offer from KPMG. Yes, I have talent, but what made it all possible was people who invested in me by believing in my abilities even in times when I went through a bad patch,” said Photo.

KPMG has been involved with the Vorentoe Running Academy since early 2014 and currently supports 44 athletes (23 boys and 21 girls).