Sipho Marima has firmly established himself as one of South Africa’s most beloved running creators, adored by a nearly cult-like following that waits eagerly for his next post, his next story, or even just a “Did you run?” check-in. 

Sipho’s warmth, humour, and genuine care for his community shine through in every interaction, and his fans repay that energy tenfold with their unwavering support online.

Sipho’s warmth, humour, and genuine care for his community shine through…

But don’t let the jokes fool you. This is no 9mins/km prom poppie. Sipho is an elite runner in his own right, with three Comrades Marathon silver medals, multiple sub-3-hour marathons, and a host of ultramarathon feats. 

Rachel Beaton: Big Boss, it’s great to finally pin you down for a catch-up. You’re like Mr World Wide these days. 
Sipho Marima: Nah, listen. You know how it is, always busy with something. I think you’re the famous one, big dog.

RB: We’ll call it a tie. So, tell me, how did you get into running?
SM: So I played soccer in high school; I stopped playing after a knee injury. From 2015 to 2018, I didn’t engage in any physical activity. Someone challenged me to a 21km run because I was mocking them as a runner. They said, “Let me sign you up, let’s see if you can do it.” And then I went to do a 21k, and from there I never stopped. It was mainly an ego thing. You think I can’t do this? Let me show you.

RB: What time did you run?
SM: 2 hours 45 minutes for my first 21. It was the longest day I’ve ever had. I suffered that day. I walked the last 13km.

RB: And that hooked you?
SM: After that, I said, “Let me try a shorter distance, because the 21 was painful. Let me try a 10.” Then, after the 10km, I signed up for a 32km. Then someone said, “Ah, you did 32, you can actually do a marathon.” I was like, “What’s a marathon?” I said, “It’s 42.2, and if you do it under 4 hours 15 minutes, you qualify for Comrades.” I was like, “What’s that?” That’s when the bug started to catch up with me.

RB: How long did it take from starting running to your first Comrades?
SM: I started running in April 2017 and ran my first Comrades in June 2019.

RB: When did content creation start?
SM: The content thing actually bumped into me. We went into lockdown in 2020. At that time, I had a marathon PB of 3:50. Gyms were closed because I worked there. So I said, “What can I do with this time?” I thought, let me train to improve my marathon time and document it. I had about 1000 Instagram followers. I said, “Guys, I’m training to run a marathon under 3 hours. My current time is 3:50.” A lot of people said, “Nah, man, that’s impossible, you won’t do that.” I started documenting the journey. Ten months later, I did 3:03. Immediately after that, Under Armour signed me, and that’s when I got into content creation.

RB: Is content creation a full-time job now?
SM: Right now, it’s a full-time job. I’ve actually stopped working for the past eight months. I haven’t been doing anything else besides content creation. When I wake up every day and say, “I’m going to work,” I’m in front of a camera creating content.

RB: And you also coach?
SM: Yes, I coach beginner runners. I created a space because it’s intimidating to get into the running space. You go into a running group and see Sub-3 Sipho, the big dog, and people who have done Comrades, and you think, “Maybe I don’t belong here.” I coach people for their first 5k and 10k. We’ve been doing this for almost a year, and I’m currently training over 60 people. It’s an accountability thing.

RB: Explain how that works.
SM: It’s like school. The teacher calls out names: “Rachel, present. Sipho, present.” That’s what I do. If you run, take me on your stories, and I mark you present for the day. That’s how the Running Circle started — the coaching group for beginner runners.

RB: Where did “Did you run?” come from?
SM: It started on December 26 last year. Christmas day I spent with my family – food, alcohol, all that. The next morning, the 26th, I went for a trail run, preparing for the Dubai Marathon. I knew most runners weren’t running because they were partying. I made a video: “So you’re still sleeping? Did you run or are you still sleeping?” People liked it. Then I did the same for January 1. It became a weekend thing, then a weekly thing, then monthly. Now, on Mondays, I ask for evidence from the weekend – medals or Strava proof. At the end of the month, I submit my kilometres, and they submit theirs. We keep each other accountable. 

RB: Why do you think it motivates people?
SM: It’s accountability. Running is hard. When you have coaches, you submit stats. “Did You Run” is a community holding each other accountable. If I don’t run, I have nothing to submit. It pushes people to go run, sign up for races, and have evidence to share.

RB: How do you motivate yourself?
SM: Every time I write an emotional caption, people say I motivate them, but they don’t realise how much they motivate me. I have to run before asking others for their stats. My motivation is everyone I engage with – online, in person, in the Did You Run community. It’s bigger than me. Even if I’m injured, the community keeps going.

RB: So you’ve created a side character in your content, which is just you with a face mask on – tell me about Mpho.
SM: Mpho is like an inner voice against everything I do in running. When I ask, “Did you run?” Mpho says, “Why do you run? I don’t want to run.” People love him because he’s relatable. He travels with me, sometimes behind my back. Loving Mpho means they love my creativity. It encourages me to think outside the box more.

RB: What are your most significant accomplishments?
SM: When I was among the top 10 most tracked runners in Comrades, that was emotional. Comrades has over 25 000 participants. Also, I earned a silver medal at Two Oceans and, six weeks later, at the Comrades ‘Up’ run. Lots of people say that’s almost impossible for first-timers. Then there’s also completing 100km on trail, relying solely on myself. That was another major accomplishment. If I were to name just three, it would be those. 

RB: Your future goals?
SM: I stopped chasing time obsessively. Now I run for enjoyment and experiences. But I still aim to improve: I have a marathon in March, aiming for 2:45. My biggest goal is to inspire one person a day to run consistently. Also, I want to keep improving until my body says it’s enough.

RB: What’s a typical day like in your world?
SM: Wake up, run with the group in Woodmead (JHB), get coffee (two cups), flapjacks (I love them), gym for strength training, shoot content, edit videos, fetch my daughters Ranelo (14) and Digo (10), coach beginner runners, review their stats, give feedback. Try to put my phone away by 7pm and get ready for the next day.

RB: And your family?
SM: My mom sends stats every morning – she’s present! My kids are teenagers; they don’t care much. I have to bribe them to be in content. If you see them there, just know that I had to pay for it! 

RB: Share some of the songs on your running playlist?
SM: Top 5? They would be… 1. War by Emtee 2. Re-Up by Emtee 3. Let’s get married by Jagged Edge 4. First time by Teeks 5. Thank you by Emtee

RB: What’s in your fridge?
SM: Flapjacks, eggs, milk, protein, a few snacks. I like keeping it fuel-focused and straightforward.

RB: Favourite race?
SM: Comrades, forever. It’s full circle. It lets me meet different sides of myself: emotional, physical, mental highs and lows. I cry, I laugh, I reflect on opportunities and challenges. It’s the complete experience.

You can read more about Sipho Marima in the Jan/Feb issue of Runner’s World. Pick up a copy at your nearest supermarket or news agent, or subscribe online today.

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