Celebrating Phoenix runner Prem Ramraj: a journey of over 1 350km in a year
CHALLENGE
Prem Ramraj.
Image: Supplied
A PHOENIX runner won second place in an annual challenge after running more than 1 000km in just one year.
Prem Ramraj, 60, took second place in the KwaZulu-Natal category of the Johnny Kambouris 1 000km Challenge for the 2024/2025 period.
Ramraj, a retired senior operations supervisor in the shipping industry, said the challenge, which was in its 34th year, recognised runners who have run either 1 000km or more.
He ran 1353.28km over a 12 month period starting from June last year to this year.
Prem Ramraj won second place for KwaZulu-Natal in the 1 000km challenge.
Image: Supplied
“Following the Comrades Marathon in June, which is also included, you have to run a minimum of 1 000km until the next Comrades Marathon to participate in the challenge. However, you have to participate in races that are officially sanctioned by KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and Athletics South Africa.
“I have been doing the challenge for the past 15 years, and have taken first place several times over the years. I also completed my 24th Comrades Marathon this year, and participated in various other marathons, including the Two-Oceans and Sani Stagger. In total I have participated in just over 300 marathons and my goal is to reach 365."
He added that each year, a charity was chosen which received a donation from each entry received for the 1 000km Challenge.
Ramraj, a member of the Fieldshill Athletics Club in Chatsworth, said his passion for running and other sports started at a young age.
“As a young boy and even as I got older, I would always be out running. It is an unexplainable feeling, but it brought me great joy. As an adult, I started watching the Comrades Marathon and then learnt of athletics clubs.
“I joined the Savages Athletic Club and thereafter, when I moved with my wife to Phoenix, I joined the Woodview Athletic Club of which I was a member for more than 30 years. I have been with my current club for the past three years."
Ramraj said his goal was to now complete 30 Comrades Marathons.
“I would have been closer to achieving my goal. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Comrades Marathon was not held in those years. But as long as my body will allow me to, I will continue to participate and hopefully reach my goal.”