Soweto Marathon Digimag Official Race Magazine | Page 14

RUN FOR A CAUSE Last year, three Johannesburg firefighters ran the Soweto Marathon in their full firefighting gear in remembrance of their fallen colleagues who tragically lost their lives in the Lisbon building fire. This year they will be doing it again. N hlakanipho Khoza, 23, Siphiwe Tshabalala, 26, and Nkosi Nzolo, 32, have decided to make running the marathon a tradition to remember the three firemen who died at the Bank of Lisbon building in the Johannesburg CBD last year. The deceased firemen - Mduduzi Ndlovu, Simphiwe Moropane and Khathutshelo Muedi - lost their lives while battling a raging fire which had engulfed the building. Now their colleagues, who completed last year’s race, are preparing for another take - albeit without their service gear this year. “For us it [running the Soweto Marathon last year] was a proud moment. It was the most meaningful moment of my life,” said Khoza about completing the tough 42.2km race in the township. “They are heroes and are our brothers. So they are worth celebrating.” Khoza, from the Jabulani 14 Soweto Marathon | Lace Up. Conquer Your Hard Fire Station in Soweto, said they were committed to using the marathon to educate people about their job and the many challenges they face on a daily basis. “This job is not for everyone. You need to have many qualities such as emotional intelligence ... and we want to educate people about this career,” said Khoza. Many were inspired by the story of the fireman and as we prepare for 40 000 of you to #LaceUpConquerYourHard we know there are many who will be running the 26th edition of The People’s Race for a chosen cause or charity! We encourage all runners to share their cause with us on social media to not only create awareness about their chosen cause/ charity but also to inspire others to run for more than just themselves!