Runner dies after being struck by vehicle in Oslo Beach

A long-time member of South Coast Striders, Muziwoxolo Maxwell Mpiti (61) was tragically killed, after being struck by a bakkie in Oslo Beach last Saturday, while training for the Comrades Marathon.

Mpiti joined Striders in the 1980s after he was introduced to the club by his former boss, Brian Taylor. He was well-known in the running community as he had completed 22 Comrades, and participated in the Two Oceans and Best of the Best marathons.

Mkhondi Mufamadi, also of Striders said Mpiti started the Wild Coast Athletics Club in his home town, Seaview in the Transkei, to develop running among the youth.

He said Mpithi will be dearly missed by the running community who are mourning his death.

“We are mourning the second death of a member on South Coast roads, we feel that runners are truly neglected as the road conditions are not favourable for us. We do however believe that Mpiti died like a soldier doing what he loved,” Mufamadi added.

Mpiti ran his best marathon time of 2:37:01 and his best position was when he came second in the Stanger to Mandeni in 1992. One of his highlights was having his photograph used as a poster for the Best of the Best Marathon, proving his prominence as an athlete.

Eddie Ramaloo who was at the scene of the accident said he met Mpiti in 2010 after he joined Striders.
“We ran at the same pace so we met at the various marathons. We became close friends, helping each other on the runs and at Comrades encouraged each other. He always joined us on our Comrades training runs and this year was no different.”

He said on the day they were 55km into their training run and had 5km to go when tragedy struck.

“It was raining heavily at that time and the driver of the vehicle lost control, and he tried to jump out of the way, but the vehicle struck him, missing two other runners, and he landed in the bushes,” he explained.

Ramaloo said he ran into the bushes to find him. “I called out to him and he managed to pick up his left hand and held on to me, not saying a word, but nodded his head. When I asked him if he wanted some water, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, he did not respond and he was declared dead a few hours later,” said Ramaloo.
Pardon Mathebula, the chairperson of Ugu Athletics Club said it was the third time Mpiti trained with them for the Comrades. He said was shaken by his death as he was a close friend.

“Mpiti will forever remain in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace and may his memories be a blessing to us all,”Mathebula said.

He said he and his members will do everything to support the Wild Coast Athletics Club.
For more information and support contributions, contact Mufamadi on 071 7918989.

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