After he made history last week by becoming the first person from Africa to complete 1 000 marathon and ultra-marathon races when he finished the African Bank Soweto Marathon, we asked Julian Karp for the best advice he could give to other runners who are aiming to achieve similar longevity.
This is what the 65-year-old South African had to say…
Cross training
It’s critical to do lightweight, high intensity training at the gym.
Stretching, lifting light weights and working on your core are all important exercises.
Run your own race
Don’t let anyone tell you what to do in a race.
You should run only a couple of hard races a year, and just enjoy the rest of them to ensure you are looking after your body.
Enjoy your running
I’ve never had to motivate myself to get out of bed and go for a run, and that’s the way it should be.
It should not be a chore, and to get the most benefits from the sport, you should enjoy every step on your running journey.
* Featured image of Julian Karp at the Soweto Marathon by Action Photo SA
