Lecturer has his eyes on the

In addition to enabling communication studies students to hone their practical visual communication skills at the university’s *IMAC Lab, he is constantly on the run preparing for and participating in marathons.

 

Othusitse, a lecturer in the subject group Communication Studies at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, has participated in several 42-km Soweto marathons, 42-km Mandela marathons and the 42,1-km Ottosdal Night Marathon.

Othusitse has a variety of medals for events from 5 km to 42 km to show for his running efforts.

 

Now he has his set his sights on the 90-km Comrades Marathon. “While I have been running half the distance of the Comrades over the years, I believe I am now ready to conquer the ultimate human race, the Comrades.

 

“I am currently working on my endurance and speed, as they are the two most important aspects that will assist me to qualify to take part in the 2021 marathon,” says Othusitse. The 2020 Comrades Marathon was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Although quick to point out that ultramarathons are not about winning for him, he wants to secure as many medals as he can and finish among the top athletes in the marathons in which he participates. He strongly believes that for any participant, winning is having the courage to participate.

 

“It’s never easy in any marathon, but I love to push myself to the limits in every race. The passion for marathon running keeps me going, so I never doubt that I'll cross the finish line.”

 

Othusitse began running long-distance marathons when he was a first-year NWU student in 2007 and has not looked back.

 

“Fortunately, I recently realised that with marathons you don’t have to train harder or longer but smarter; you need to prepare yourself mentally and physiologically.”

 

This realisation will not only be helping Othusitse prepare for the Comrades, but to deal with the challenges created on campus and beyond by the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

* An IMAC Lab is an Apple Mac Computer Laboratory. The students use Apple Mac computers for their graphic design work.

Lecturer and marathon runner Othusitse Maunatlala says he loves to push himself to the limits in every race.

Time is of the essence for Communication Studies lecturer Othusitse Maunatlala.