Bloemfontein-based long-distance runner Ernest Khalata is aiming for the sky as he strives to keep alive the legacy his of late uncle Josh Khalata and reward those who encourage him to take running seriously.
Khalata (30) has proven anything is possible and that he will not shy away from a challenge.
He has his eye on impressing at this year’s Comrades Marathon, scheduled for 28 August, following his superb performance in the Swasap Ultramarathon in Bloemfontein on Saturday (11/06). He finished second, but with an improved time, having won it on debut in 2020.
“That was my first-ever win,” he said.
“This year I tried to defend my title, but it was not to be. The good thing is that I improved my time and finished second in a time of 3:20.”
According to him, this was a test for the ultimate – the Comrades Marathon.
Khalata made his Comrades debut in June 2018 and finished in 7:59 on a down run. In 2019 he finished in a time of 8:23. He is hoping for an improved performance this year, as he wishes to honour his late uncle Josh, who died in a car accident in July 2016.
“I started running in the middle of 2017. However, the passion had started early in 2016 when I was watching TV and saw an ad for the O.R. Tambo Marathon in Bloemfontein, which was to take place in April that year.
“Remembering that my uncle Josh was a runner at the time, I talked to him about my interest in running. But he didn’t think I was serious and only joked about how I’d die on the road if I attempted running a marathon,” he said.
His uncle died in that year and thus could not see his career take off.
“The Saturday before his funeral the Old Mutual Athletics Club, of which he was a member, organised a halfmarathon for runners and non-runners to honour his life and what he loved doing. I decided to use that opportunity to take up this passion that I have for running.”
Khalata said a turning point was participating in the second edition of his uncle’s commemorative halfmarathon in 2017.
“After that run, his best friend, Tumo Mokhatla, told me I had potential and needed to join the club. With great excitement I immediately told my family, and after a few days I registered as a member of the club,” said Khalata.
He has gone on to compete in international races. Last year he ran the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and finished in a personal best time of 2:38, despite running with an injury.
Despite challenges due to a lack of sponsorship, he persists in competing.
“I’ve always chosen not to dwell too much on my lows.
“Through those challenges, I’ve been having a blessed journey in which my family and teammates would meet my financial running needs in all sorts of ways, such as paying for my accommodation and transport, registration for races, and buying good quality running shoes. All this is coming from their own pockets.
“I focus on the blessings that God has put in my life and how He has been using a lot of people to help me get to where I am today,” said Khalata.
