'I plan to use the money well' - Photo to complete house with Black Diamond AC Award Winnings
Multiple Comrades Marathon gold medalist Rufus Photo says he will use the money he won at his club's award ceremony held on the weekend to complete the house he has started building in Limpopo. Photo was the big winner at the 2024 Black Diamond Athletic Club awards on Sunday 15 December, grabbing the Athlete of the Year, the Social Media Male Athlete of the year as well as three other awards to walk away with a cheque of R40 000.
The 44-year-old Photo signed with the one of the KwaZulu-Natal's fastest growing elite development running clubs at the start of the year after the closure of the Murray & Roberts Running Club in 2023 left him searching for a new home. Paying tribute to club chairperson Mbongiseni Ndlela, Photo couldn't hide his excitement saying that this is first time in his running career that he has been honoured in this way.
"I'm happy," he told #TheTopRunner. "In my years as a runner, there is no club that has given me an award that goes with cash. So I would like to thank Black Diamond along with the main sponsor which is Ibhele Nabangane Engineers for treating us athletes so well," said an elated Photo.
Following his impressive performance at the 2023 Comrades Marathon where ran a Down Run personal best 5:21:48 to take an impressive fifth place overall, there was lot of expectations that he could replicate that wonderful run during this year's Up Run. But Photo threw in the towel saying he did not get sufficient nutrition along the route. He says failing to finish the race was disappointing.
"I started the year brightly as I was preparing for my main race which was Comrades. Then I bailed out of the race because I didn't have enough nutritional support to get my bottles," he stated. "That moment was difficult to accept and I was down, but I managed to bounce back from that disappointment. It was hard for me to take as I needed to perform well in the race. I'm glad though that I managed to overcome that. The good thing is I'm happy that I put out some good performances afterwards to end the year on high note."
As he approaches the end of his career as a top runner, the Polokwane-based Photo is thinking about life after sport. He says he will use his winnings to complete the house he has been building. "Shelter is important in life. I have already started to build a house back home. So this money will go a long way to ensure that I finish it. This money came at the right time when I needed it most. So I plan to use it well."
In addition to Photo there were some other winners including Banele Mabizela who enjoyed an excellent season replete with personal bests. The 25-year-old took eight position at the Durban International Marathon incorporating the Athletics South Africa championships, claimed a bronze medal in the 10 000m at the ASA Track and Field Championships and a top twenty finish (16th) at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in a personal best 2:49:39.
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