A 54-year-old runner recounts his seven-year journey from struggling to complete a 5 km run to competing in South Africa’s 86 km Comrades Marathon. After battling weight issues, back pain and injuries, he gradually built endurance through disciplined training, logging 1,330 km since January 2026. Supported by friends, coaches and technology-driven race modelling, he progressed from half-marathons to ultras.