WATCH: Iconic runner Isaac Mabula

Katlehong community leader and iconic runner Isaac Mabula’s performance has been likened to the renowned athlete Bruce Fordyce who also retired after 30 years from the Comrades Marathon.

On July 30, Isaac shared inspiring stories of his running journey and the journey of co-founding Katlehong Athletics Club during the apartheid era.

GCN reported last week that the inaugural Isaac Mabula 10km Challenge by Katlehong Athletics Club (KAC) would have taken place on July 19, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the race was cancelled.

According to the chairperson of the athletics club, Hloni Motloung, the pandemic did not stop members of their club from honouring its president and runner, Isaac.

The club held a virtual run where members and other clubs ran from different locations on the same day to maintain social distancing.

From 1990 Isaac’s medals tally from the Comrades Marathon included four silver medals, 2 Bill Rowen medals, 21 bronze medals and three Victor Clapham medals.

He was born in the Free State in 1957 and moved to Gauteng in 1979.

“I love Katlehong because of the diversity of nationality around it. We have our own hospital and stadium and it is closer to job opportunities in Wadeville.”

The Katlehong resident said back in the days his favourite hangout was the soccer stadium, especially Orlando Stadium.

“I love football and listening to music and relaxing with my family at home.”

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The runner explained how he started running.

“During lunchtime at work I saw people running. They would come back to shower thereafter and I requested to join them. I joined the runners the following day.”

In 1980 Isaac started running as a middle-distance runner and in 1989 he travelled with his running team to Durban to support them on the road.

“That was the year Sam Tshabalala won the Comrades. I got so motivated by his win and started training. I was nervous at my first Comrades. I focused on the finishing line and made it in a time of 8 hours 30 minutes.”

He was inspired to return to the event and improve on his previous time.

“Just the thought of finishing first motivated me to go back again. There’s something about Comrades that makes runners go back even though a day after the race your body will be in so much pain.”

Isaac returned to the Comrades 29 more times, thereafter.

His highlights include obtaining his silver medals in 1995, 1996, 1998.

“Running as a black man during apartheid was not easy. We were not allowed in shower areas at certain races or use the facilities. But I remained motivated and soon became co-founder of KAC.”

The club was established in August 1982.

“We recruited members and started training at Katlehong Sports Complex, which was known as Huntersfield Stadium at the time.”

Hloni Motloung, the chairperson of KAC, explained how the president of the club, Isaac, has inspired his life and running journey.

“Isaac continues to be an inspiration particularly to our junior athletes who have seen him on TV, radio and newspapers. They often witness people stopping him while training with them and thanking him for putting Katlehong on the map while doing something that he loves.

“It is through this that the club decided to honour him with a 10km, Isaac Mabula 10km Challenge to recognise his contribution to the club and community at large.”

Hloni added Isaac is seen as an icon in the community.

“He is someone the community is proud to have, his life story has humbled many. Thirty consecutive Comrades Marathons show the amount of discipline and commitment that this man has.”

Isaac’s five top tips to succeed as runner:

• Be disciplined.
• Commit yourself to your craft.
• Follow the running programme, engage in cross-training.
• Do hill sessions to be comfortable with running uphill.
• Do your weekly time trails and live a healthy lifestyle.