'I dream of winning Comrades' - Rising star Mjwara looks back on successful 2024 season

In 2016, multiple Comrades Marathon gold medalist Prodigal Khumalo founded the Orcas Academy with the aim of giving athletes from underprivileged communities the opportunity to be trained by experienced coaches in order to realised their potential. Through the project there were a number of prominent graduates including Comrades and Two Oceans gold medalist Nkosikhona Mhlakwana as well as Soweto Marathon gold medalist Makhosi Mhlongo. Following in their fast footsteps is Lindelani Mjwara, a rising star who recently clocked a 2:18:18 42km personal best at the Kasenhoop Marathon in Mpumalanga, to claim a memorable podium position.

Mjwara flying to a new personal best at the Tswelopele Kaapsehoop Marathon on 2 November. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I'm happy with the way I performed since I came from behind in order to finish in third overall. The plan going to the race was to stick into the leading bunch. The aim was to run under 2 hours and 20 minutes. I'm glad I managed to achieve it," said the man who has now improved from a previous PB of 2:29, just eleven months into his marathon career.

Mjwara who hails from Impendle near Pietermaritzburg was scouted by Khumalo in 2022 during Bongumusa Mthembu's December Training Run - an annual event run between Impendle and Bulwer (where Mthembu was born). When Mjwara arrived at the academy, he was running a modest 40 minutes over 10km, but through guidance he received in the Inanda Valley and focus on his training, his times soon improved.

Mjwara poses with coach Prodigal Khumalo at the finish line in Pietermaritzburg after taking 56th place during the Comrades Up Run this year. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Lindelani knew what he wanted from day one and he was at the right place at the right time. Some athletes come to the right place the wrong time when they are not ready to achieve greatness and don't see the value of being part of the camp," explains Khumalo, who is also a former winner of the Ultra Trail Cape Town.

Besides excelling over the standard marathon, the 27-year-old's most eye-catching performance this year came during the Comrades Marathon in June where he produced 6:03:56 on debut to earn 56th position at the world's oldest and most loved ultra marathon. "The reason I decided to run Comrades was to test the waters. Our coach advised me that I should pull out at 60km since I had run the Durban International Marathon in April but I decided to continue because I was still feeling strong. I was amazed with my finish and it feels good to get a medal," he said.

Mjwara is honoured with the Newcomer of the Year Award at the Hollywood Athletics Club Awards in October. Photo Credit: Hollywood Athletic Club.

Mjwara, who was raised by his Grandmother, is beginning to profit from his hardwork and early successes. Realising his abilities and determination to achieve, he was roped in by the Hollywood Athletics Club and then shortly thereafter, honoured with the Newcomer f the Year Award by #ThePurpleTeam. His biggest dream remains to follow in the footsteps of three time winner Mthembu and win The Ultimate Human Race.

"Mthembu and Willie Mtolo come from our district. They motivate me to keep pushing because of their achievements. The Comrades Marathon is huge in our area and we use to wake up to watch it on television every year when we were growing up. Next year, I'm aiming to have good Comrades race. I know I made some mistakes this year as it was my debut but I'm hoping to rectify them. In the end, I dream of winning the race one day," he concluded.