Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 57, April 2014 | Page 14

Balancing Act

The
Running
Sponsor
Despite a demanding schedule, finding
time to run is a daily priority for
Ralph Mupita, CEO of Old Mutual
Emerging Markets, and he also makes
a point of regularly turning out in his
company’s flagship sponsorship event,
the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
– BY SEAN FALCONER

Images: Jetline Action Photo & Courtesy Old Mutual

Modern Athlete: You’ve run three Two
Oceans ultras in the last three years, to go with
three earlier runs in the half marathon. Tell me
about your running background.
Ralph Mupita: I was a sprinter at school and
ran the 100m in 10.8 seconds, so long distance
in those days was 400m. I was also an avid
rugby player and cricketer, and played national
schools cricket for Zimbabwe as a left arm
fast bowler, where I enjoyed giving opening
batsmen a hard time. I only got to distance
running pretty late, when I ran my first Old
Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon in 2002. I
haven’t looked back since!
MA: What does running and being fit mean to
you?
RM: A healthy mind benefits much from a
healthy, strong body, and vice versa, so
running helps me be a better person
and better executive in my company.
Executive roles come with a lot
of inherent stress, and running
helps a lot to manage and reduce
that stress. When I can’t solve a
problem or have a difficult issue
to sort out, I mentally park it
until I get a chance to run.
Often, during or after a run,
the issue is solved.
MA: How do you fit exercise
into your busy schedule?
RM: My work takes me to
many great places in the
world, and I always pack
my running shoes when I
travel. My favourite places
to run – outside of South