KWAZAKHELE-BORN athlete, Eric Sigxashe, is one of the most respected and top road runners in the Eastern Cape, despite the many challenges that he was faced with.
Sigxashe said that road running is an expensive sport code.
“Before an athlete takes part in the race, they have to pay the entry fee.
“It does not end with the entry fee but the roadrunner will have to have pay for the transport to the go to the competition, but the most important need is your running shoes, which must be in good condition,” he said.
“When I started running, I used one pair of running shoes for training and taking part in the race competitions. Subsequently, I incurred serious injuries that nearly ended my running career.”
Despite the challenges, he stated that running was his favourite sport and that he was encouraged and motivated to take part in athletics by Ezikweni Primary School’s athletics coach, the late Morocco Hlekani.
Sigxashe participated in 1 500m and 5 000m when he was a learner at Kwazakhele High School.
He started competing in cross-country in 1995. Sigxashe was part of the then Eastern Province Athletics Union Schools’ cross-country team that took part in the national championships in Alberton, Gauteng, in 1995.
After he matriculated, he joined Max Africa Roadrunners in Spring Valley and he was recruited by Michael Mbambani to join Mr Price Athletics Club.
He said that he ran the Comrades Marathon, with his time being 5 hours 47 minutes, when he was the member of Mr Price AC.
Sigxashe said that there were many things that lead athletes to quit running.
“Permanent injuries, lack of support from the clubs and parents or families and financial problems are serious challenges in roadrunning.
“These things are very common with the roadrunners and these shatter their dreams of being the national runners,” said Sigxashe.
Despite the challenges, Sigxashe has won many races.
He is passionate about athletics and said, “Athletics is my life.”
