Runner who has been training in Kowie off to Olympics

SIPHELELE NDZAMELA

EASTERN Cape athlete Lusapho April will be taking the world stage in the 42.195km marathon in the London Olympics next month.

OFF TO LONDON: Athlete Lusapho April aims on going all the way to the top in the London Olympics Picture: SIPHELELE NDZAMELA

April was born in Addo just outside Port Elizabeth and later moved to Uitenhage when he started high school. It was at that time he realised that running was not just a hobby for him, it was a passion.

He has been in Athletics since 1995, first in Uitenhage and since then has been training with his coach Karen Zimmerman, who lives in Port Alfred. They have training between Port Alfred, Hogsback and Uitenhage from 1999 up to the present.

He has won several competitions in his athletics career, including the SA Junior Half Marathon. He also took a top position in the SA Marathon Champs in 2011 and also competed in the Hanover Marathon Run in Germany.

The 30-year-old said his family is very excited and proud of him being part of the 2012 London Olympics and will be watching him compete on TV.

The qualifiers were held in Hanover, Germany. In order for April to qualify for the Olympics he had to finish his race in two hours and twelve minutes. He qualified in 2:09:25.

"Big dreams start small,” said April "Follow your dreams and never let anyone tell that you'll never succeed.”

April's sole sponsor is his coach's husband, Perry.

He will be leaving for Port Elizabeth on Friday (July 27) and will be running in the Clover Milk Run at Kings Beach on Saturday.

After the race he will then fly to Johannesburg where he will take a flight to London. His first race in the Olympics will be on August 12 2012.