Thembi warms up for world champs

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GEORGE NEWS - The South African champion for the Backyard Ultra, a race that keeps on going for up to four days, is the Georgian Thembinkosi Sojola. Thembi, as he is fondly known by the trail running community, is heading for the World Championships in Tennessee, United States.

This event will take place in October, when the best Backyard Ultra runners in the world will converge at the Big Farm in Short Creek to compete for the title "Last Man Standing".

What it entails is running 6,7km per hour, every hour, until only one runner is still on his feet. In preparation for this event, Thembi did a practice Backyard Ultra last weekend, 11 to 13 August, where he completed 33 laps (221km) from 18:00 on Friday to 14:00 on Sunday afternoon.

The first 24 laps he completed without a solid break. Local runners joined him while he sweated away in Camphersdrift and Heatherlands.

"He has to train for the world champs, so we thought it would be good to organise a local Backyard Ultra Challenge for him, which can also serve as a fundraiser," said Jacques Mouton, owner of MountCo, who is also in charge of the Garden Route trail running group.

"Other runners came to support him and people could make donations for his collection." When Thembi participates in the world championship, he will have to do between 60 and 100 rounds continuously.

PHOTO GALLERY: Thembinkosi Sojola heading for world championships

Other runners came to support Thembi and people could make donations for his fundraiser. Photo: Deidre Cloete

Asked about his thoughts on the upcoming world championships, Thembi said, "It's gonna be a very tough race running with the best Backyard Ultra champions from around the globe. But it's all about doing 'one more lap' and keeping going. Backyard Ultra is just like life events: you get the moments of feeling good and fresh and then you also reach your low points, where you'll need to dig deep and come out of the pain cave and keep going. Thank you to all the people and the local companies that are supporting me on my journey."

Thembi received financial support from George Municipality, the running community, a BackaBuddy fundraiser and local businesses and individuals to help him participate in the global arena.

He is currently R40 000 short of the needed amount to cover his documents, travels and accommodation for his visit to the States.

"Thembi is a very good athlete. He's obtained several silver Comrades and Two Oceans medals. What makes him ideal for this kind of challenge is his stamina, which he has a lot of," said Mouton. For more information, contact Jacques Mouton on 081 366 4394.

Local runners joined Thembi Sojola (middle, in red) while he sweated away in Camphersdrift and Heatherlands. Photo: Deidre Cloete