Xolani Luvuno may not have crossed the line in record time when he took part in the Comrades Marathon, but the fact that he did touched and inspired many across South Africa.

Xolani lost one of his legs in 2010 after suffering bone marrow cancer, but that did not stop him from taking part in the famous ultra marathon, taking off in the 90km route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg just after midnight, to finish at 17:00 alongside his buddy, Hein Venter.

#GiveXolaniAMedal – Petition to get Xolani Luvuno a Comrades medal

This meant that he did not qualify for a medal, but his remarkable feat had touched South African’s hearts, and a petition was created by Anton Bosman on Change.org to get the marathon organisers to award him a medal.

“Xolani has inspired a nation with his courage,” Bosman said. “His achievement is just what South Africa needs to move forward in unity. He finished a test of the ultimate human strength, completing the ultimate human race. “I feel Xolani has earned his medal, beyond any shadow of doubt.”

On Wednesday, Bosman confirmed that the petition had been a success as the Comrades Marathon Association granted Xolani an official medal for his part in the race.

Watch Xolani in action in video below

Well done to Xolani Luvuno for finishing the Ultimate Human Race! What an inspiration! #Comrades2018 pic.twitter.com/v2Pw0X5uy1 — René Kalmer (@ReneKalmer) June 10, 2018

Who won the 2018 Comrades Marathon?

South African Bongumusa Mthembu won the 2018 Comrades Marathon in an incredible time of 05:26:44.

It was his third win, and he finished almost ten minutes ahead of his nearest competitor, fellow South African Joseph Mphuthi who came in second with a time of 05:35:14.

A South African also won the women’s race. Ann Ashworth of the Massmart Athletics Club finished in 6:10:04. SA’s Gerda Steyn earned second place and Russia’s Alexandra Morozova won third place.