Running is life for long-distance enthusiast
"Running is now a part of my life. I don't foresee myself stopping."
THE need to keep physically fit began a love for long-distance running for enthusiast, Mafika Dlamini, 40.
As a former soccer player, a 1.6km jogging stint ignited his inner athleticism and he has never looked back.
“I was sweating like a pig,” recalled the Yellowwood Park resident of his first run. “My friend, Mdu Khanyile, a Comrades Marathon runner, kept encouraging my jogging. He knew I was an athlete anyway. I remember being super excited after doing a 4km jog. I saw my fitness returning.”
Born and raised in Bergville, Mafika took a liking to sports from a young age. Like many rural boys, he grew up with football as the main sport.
“I played for so many years until age went against. Injuries were taking longer to heal, I then decided to retire.”
He moved to Durban 21 years ago and a few years later, secured a job in the Midlands and moved his family there. Five years later, he was back in Durban.
“This whole jogging story started while we were living in Pietermaritzburg. There then was a hype about the Mandela Day Marathon. Almost every second person was going there. I decided to go too.”
“As a footballer back in 1998, I had once ran 15km in a Soweto Marathon, so I had an idea of road running. I chose to register for the 10km, which I did in 1:14 minutes. That was in 2013. I never looked back,” said the father of three.
A few weeks later, Mafika was back on the trail to run his first half marathon at the Goss and Balfe Sapphire Coast Marathon.
“I finished in 2:19 minutes. At that pace, Mdu was certain I could finish the Comrades Marathon. From that day onward, I was so engulfed with running, I found myself registering for Comrades 2014.”
In preparation for Comrades, he ran his first marathon, the NOSA Hillcrest Marathon with a 4:48 min finish. He did a few marathons and started enjoying the comradery at the races.
“In no time I found myself doing a 60km route tester. That tested me,” he exclaimed. “My fingers were so swollen, I couldn’t see my wedding band.”
He ran his first Comrades in 2014, a down-run, beating all cut-off points only to miss his finish at 12:09. Feeling more confident, he considered himself a seasoned runner.
The marathon was an up-run the following year and once again, he missed the finish by 7 minutes. However, he had already crossed the threshold and was now an even stronger runner, there was no turning back.
“The sportsman in me kept saying that my time would come. I made the 2016 down-run in 11:44. I had never realised how many people wanted that medal more than me. My family and colleagues were so happy for me.”
His running resume boasts a range of marathons from in and around Durban including Empangeni, PMB and Bergville. He has so many medals, he has lost count.
Mafika is married to Babongiwe, and they are blessed with three children, Kwandokuhle, Kuhlekonke and Khethokuhle. He is also the chairperson of Phuma KZN Athletics.
“The family support in this long-distance running is of utmost importance. Motivation and moral support improve psychological fitness.”
“Physical fitness in this sport plays a major role but it can easily supersede mental strength. That is why we always run with pain but still smile. Seeing my family on the route takes is super healing.”
“Amahewu and amadumbe they provide me on the road normally taste different from what I know. They are so nice and fulfilling.”
“Covid-19 has introduced a shock wave in my running programme. I had to adjust to the new normal in life generally.
“I moved from daily running to no run at all for few months. Coming back into fitness is challenging as club runs are no longer there. Races have disappeared and motivation is not there.”
“I was hoping, like others, that by this time things would have improved and Comrades Marathon would be staged again. “But with the recent cancellation it is further demotivating. One has to change life goals in order to establish a new motivation. My health is now my priority.”
“Running is now a part of my life. I don’t foresee myself stopping. With age, I might reduce the distance, but I will not stop completely,” he said.
