Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 54, January 2014 | Page 11

He has also represented South Africa in numerous international competitions, including the 2012 Olympic Marathon – he finished 43rd after falling mid-race – as well as the World Cross Country Champs, World Road Running Champs and World Student Games, where he was often the top-placed South African. Now he is working towards selection for the SA team for the World Half Marathon Champs in Copenhagen, Denmark later this year, but his big goal is the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where he hopes to emulate Josiah Thugwane’s gold medal-winning effort from the 1996 Atlanta Games. “I wanted to try for the Olympic Marathon in 2008, but I tore my Achilles tendon in training. If I can just stay healthy and injury-free, then the medal is definitely on in Rio. That’s the dream. I know what I’m capable of and I believe in what we’re doing, my coach and I.” It is his patience and dedication, along with Karen’s guidance and astute management, that are now paying dividends in Lusapho’s career. He has resisted the lure of the high-paying ultra-marathons that dominate the SA road running scene, and only does a select number of races per year, whereas most of his peers are either racing everything in order to make some money, or moving up to the ultra’s at a young age and losing much of their natural speed in the process. “Soon as my international marathon career is done, I will stop running and spend more time with my family. I have no plans yet for when I am finished with running, but I hope to make enough money to start my own business.” Running with the world’s best, New York Marathon 2013. Winner’s interview, Hannover Marathon. Karen & Lusapho. LUSAPHO’S PB’S 5000m 10,000m 10km 15km Half Marathon 25km Marathon 13:59.64 29:13.85 28:42 43:50 1:01:32 1:15:02 2:08:32 Does your event face these problems? Organisation is time-consuming? Managing too many suppliers? Outdated marketing techniques? Phone ringing off the hook? Overflowing e-mail inbox? EVENTS FROM START TO FINISH WE CAN HELP! Our team is built around people who know what it takes to organise and market events. 75 Online entry and data management. Race number printing, packing and distribution. Manning your race office, race phone and enquiry e-mails. Medals, t-shirts & other race logistics. Marketing of your event via different media to extensive databases. Electronic timing with same-day results - GUARANTEED! Upcoming Events: Pick n Pay Marathon – 9 February 2014 Sarens Edenvale Marathon - 9 March 2014 Om Die Dam - 15 March 2014 2013 1 Old Eds HFPA Ro ad 21km Race 48 ce PA Road Ra Old Eds HF 21km 10km NO CHIP. ‘ ‘ Some of our services Use some or all of our services to make your event slicker and more profitable! For more info contact us today : Craig : 082 551 1487 E-mail : [email protected] Timed by: NO RESULT. NO PRIZE. Entries at www.championchip.co.za www.peaktiming.co.za 11