"It was just an accident" - Munzhelele back in training after being hit by a car
Limpopo long-distance runner Timothy Munzhelele has returned to training after he was struck by a car during the 2026 Tshilamba 3-in-1 Half Marathon which took place on Saturday, 17 October in Tshilamba, Thohoyandou. The incident, which went viral on social media after a witness shared the video, forced the organizing Venda Athletic Club to release a statement in which they explain that the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and attended to Munzhelele before he went on to complete the race.
The car hit him during the final 2km of the 21km race, while he was in fifth position. Still, the Faranani Athletic Club runner managed to complete the race in a time of 1:14:44. Although he hung onto fifth position, the incident prevented him from achieving his time goal of 1:10/1:09. Speaking to Clifford Mehala on Thobela FM sport program, Mabaleng a Dipapadi on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the 39-year-old confirmed that he has not suffered any long-term injuries.
“I am back to training. I have been back for 3 days now, but at the moment I am not doing long distances. I am running 5km and then from there I’ll start doing long runs to observe how my body is feeling. So, yes I am back to training. I think you are likely to see me competing in races again some time in December or January. I’ll start competing in 10km and extend to 21km depending on how the body is responding,” he explained.
“This incident has derailed me because this weekend (Saturday, 7 November) I was supposed to compete in the 2026 Kaapsehoop 4-in-1 Marathon in Mpumalanga. So, I am cancelling. Now I am seeing a physio. Yes, it’s a setback because running is my bread and butter”
The Makonde born top runner, who is the holder of a 5:48:30 Comrades Marathon personal best attained during the 2023 edition of The Ultimate Human Race, added that he bears no grudge against the motorist because it was an honest mistake.
“There were marshals on the route. It was just an accident. After he knocked me down, I think I might have lied down for about three or four minutes. I don’t know how I managed to finish the race. My mind was all mixed up. I only came to realize that a car had hit me when I saw blood running down my leg, when I was about to complete the race. The medical personnel came to help me after I crossed the line. I am just grateful that I crossed the finish line because the way he hit me I shouldn’t have completed the race”.
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