Amputee runner Xolani Luvuno fulfilled his dream when he finished the grueling Comrades Marathon shortly before 16:30 on Sunday afternoon.
Organisers allowed Luvuno, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2009 which resulted in his right leg being amputated, to start the race five hours early, and he finished the 90km race well before the 18:00 cut-off time.
"I wanted to make sure that I finish before cut-off time and my coach said to me don't rush because the Comrades Marathon is not 42km, it's a big race," he said after reaching the finish line.
"I want to say thank you to the supporters who cheered for me on the routes as well as the director of the Comrades Marathon for giving me this chance."
Xolani Luvuno 🙏 Sir, you are an absolute legend. This man embodies the true South African spirit and makes me so proud to call this rainbow nation my home 🇿🇦 #ComradesMarathon #Comrades2018 #ProudlySouthAfrican pic.twitter.com/End2LemSe6
— Priyanka (@Priyanka_g360) June 10, 2018
Well done to Xolani Luvuno for finishing the Ultimate Human Race! What an inspiration! #Comrades2018 pic.twitter.com/v2Pw0X5uy1
— René Kalmer (@ReneKalmer) June 10, 2018
Luvuno first made headlines 13 months ago when he competed in the 42.2km Wally Hayward Marathon on crutches while wearing a prosthetic leg. Two months later he ran his first race with a running blade.