2025/01/14
2024/10/22
ASICSFrontRunnerWandisile‘Wandi’NongodlwanaCompletestheCovetedAbbottWorldMarathonMajorsQuest
Wandisile 'Wandi' Nongodlwana, an ASICS FrontRunner from South Africa, has achieved the impressive feat of completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, a prestigious challenge that takes runners across six world-renowned races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. For Wandi, each marathon was not only a test of physical endurance but a journey that broadened his perspective on running, culture, and resilience.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors represent the pinnacle of marathon running, and many athletes dream of completing this set to earn their "Six Star" medal. Each race presents its own atmosphere, terrain, and challenges, demanding a unique blend of speed, endurance, and mental fortitude. For Wandi, the journey began unexpectedly in 2019 when he ran his first Major in Chicago, initially inspired by a friend and a desire to raise funds for charity.
From Charity to a Life-Changing Mission
“I started off as a charity runner,” Wandi recalls. “My first Abbott Major was the Chicago Marathon in 2019. I ran it because a friend of mine from the U.S., Mike Clayton, committed to entering me. We ran the marathon to raise funds for the American Red Cross. At that time, I didn’t even know about the Abbott World Marathon Majors,” he admits.
Wandi’s impressive finish time of 2:50 in Chicago opened doors for him, allowing him to qualify for Boston and New York. “I realized that I had qualified for New York and Boston,” he shares, “and I was motivated to enter via my qualifying time.” However, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, the 2020 race calendar was upended, leading Wandi to defer his entries. Yet, his resolve only grew stronger, with Wandi eventually running his deferred races in 2021 and beyond.
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