By Thathe Msimango
Ultra-Marathon veteran Solicitor Manduwa has signed the first professional contract of his career – at the ripe old age of 47-years-old.
After a string of brilliant performances running under the Phantane Athletics Club, Manduwa has been awarded a one-year deal with Intsika Athletics Club.
Last year, Manduwa managed to claim a celebrated eighth position in the Comrades Marathon with a time of 05:46:10. What was more special about his run was that at 47 years, he became the oldest athlete to finish inside the top 10 and claim a gold medal in the “ultimate human race”.
Manduwa, who finished 16th in the 2022 Two Oceans Marathon, says age is just a number to him.
“I’m happy that I have managed to sign a professional contract with Intsika. This means a lot to me if I can tell you. Finally, people are recognising my performances,” he told Scrolla.africa
“I kind of knew clubs would come for my signature after I’d done well in the Comrades. It’s the biggest ultra race in the world so to put yourself in the race history books is special.”
Kicking off his running career in his mid-30s, the Malawian-born athlete was first attracted to the sport when seeing athletes training while he was busy playing football.
“I was a good football player. The training ground we were using had a track so every day, athletes would flock there to train,” said Manduwa, who works as a machine operator at Trox South Africa.
“I told myself ‘what can stop me to join running?’”
He approached former New York Marathon winner Willie Mtolo to sharpen his skills.
“I started running in 2011 but took it seriously back in 2019 when I saw that I could compete. It was the best decision for me to switch.”
With age catching up, the Pietermaritzburg resident thinks he has what it takes to go even faster.
“I focus on myself and what I can do best. I train with young guys but I don’t try to run at their pace, I concentrate on getting better each day,” he said.
“The good thing about me is that I eat healthy food, too many vegetables and I eat a lot of fruit. Which I think is huge, plus keep my body in good shape,” said Manduwa, who added that the key to his longevity is staying hydrated.
Picture above: Solicitor Manduwa
Image source: Supplied
