Michael Ndlovu: From Durban to the London Marathon

When thousands of runners take their place on the starting line for the London marathon tomorrow morning, Michael Ndlovu will live his dream when he sets out on the same course as running superstars like world record destroyers Eliud Kipchoge and Sir Mo Farah.

Ndlovu's story is very different from the scores of elite athletes who'll run the 42km through London tomorrow. He doesn't have a full-time coach or lucrative sponsorships.

Ndlovu runs 34 km to work and back This runner starts his day at 2:30 with a 17km run from his home in north-west Durban to his job. He works in the city, as a groundsman for his employer, Urban Lime. After a hard day of work he'll run the 17km back home. A 17km trip that takes him a respectable one hour and thirty minutes to complete.

Ndlovu has been running for over 20 years, and the 52-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. He has run 16 Comrades Marathons with a personal best of 6:49:41.

Despite this, Ndlovu counts his participation in the Cape Town marathon as one of the high points of his running career. It has therefore afforded him his first flight in a plane to Cape Town.

Ndlovu's employer Jonny Friedman, chief executive of commercial property urban regeneration specialists Urban Lime, has helped make his participation in the exclusive race possible.

Michael's passion for running is an inspiration to us all. Urban Lime are very proud to have Michael represent Durban and South Africa in one of the most elite marathons in the world.

Raising fund for Fields in Trust Ndlovu will be running to raise funds for Fields in Trust. It's a UK-based charity whose goal is to preserve green areas for public enjoyment. Friedman says:

Ndlovu remains excited despite surviving an attempted robbery at gunpoint on his morning run to work earlier this month. Thankfully he escaped unscathed and will be able to take his place when the gun goes off in London.

I'm looking forward to it, but I'm feeling a bit nervous. If I'm feeling okay on the day and depending on the pace, I hope to finish in 2.37.

To support Ndlovu's cause in London, click here.

Tags: LondonmarathonSouth Africa

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