The scale of Xolani Luvuno’s achievement is almost unfathomable. On Sunday, he completed the Comrades Marathon – on one leg, using two crutches.

It marks an unbelievable turnaround in his life, which all began two years ago. As SAPeople report, Hein Venter spotted him as a homeless man in Irene, Pretoria and decided to do something about it.

He helped Xolani break his addiction to Nyope and gave him a job at his perfume company. Venter has been there with him every step of the way and that was no different on Sunday when the pair set out to complete the gruelling 90km run.

Xolani started the Pietermaritzburg-to-Durban route at 00:30 on Sunday morning, five hours before anyone else. He crossed the finish line during the afternoon, to rapturous applause from the crowd.

The journey took the pair almost 17 hours, with Xolani and his comrade Hein completing the race just before 17:00.

Who won the 2018 Comrades Marathon?

South African Bongumusa Mthembu won the 2018 Comrades Marathon in an incredible time of 05:26:44. It’s Mthembu’s 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. Second place was earned by SA’s Gerda Steyn and third place was won by Russia’s Alexandra Morozova.

Watch Xolani Luvuno complete the Comrades Marathon here:

#Comrades2018

Well done Xolani….

You did it Broe ????????????❤❤????. Disability will not stop you from doing what your heart Desire… ❤❤ am Proud ❤ pic.twitter.com/gLAHXnOuHS — just❤call me❤Lwandle (@Hlengiwe_mbokaz) June 10, 2018

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

Like the legend he is, Luvuno also found time to keep the crowds entertained…