MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay resident Mvelisi Senti (42) has been running 21km every day since 6 November last year. Mvelisi is a social runner and says he loves long runs.

"I started running more seriously in 2018 when I did a half marathon. I finished the 21km comfortably in a time of one hour and 33 minutes. The following year I did a marathon."

Mvelisi joined the PetroSA athletics team in 2019 and participated in every race that he could. It was, however, the Two Oceans that opened his eyes. 

"I realised I was not just a runner and that I could be competitive as well." He finished the Two Oceans in a time of four hours, 48 minutes.

"It gave me satisfaction that I could finish such a long race. I watched both the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon on television and I had a feeling that I could do them.

" Since his running journey Mvelisi has participated in many marathons. The Washie 100-miler race of 161km has been one of his highlights. "I almost wanted to quit, but luckily my father was there to support me."

Mvelisi says to win a race is not his priority. "What I want is to see more young people get involved in running." 

That is why he has started a non-profit organisation called Stars of Tomorrow Sport Development so young people in Mossel Bay can participate in all types of sport, including athletics. "I want to identify young athletes that will be the stars of tomorrow."

He also participated this weekend in the Two Oceans Marathon.

As a shift worker it is a challenge for him to do 21km every day. "I have to manage my time and I run no matter how the weather looks."

Follow Mvelisi on his Strava page to see his progress.

Mvelisi Senti is part of the Bayethe Multisport Academy in Mossel Bay.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’