The Plus-Size Runner Who’s Inspiring Thousands
What started out as a plan to get healthy has helped Lerato Mokhaneli prove to others what's possible
As a devoted mother, Lerato Mokhaneli decided she needed to create a healthy example for her ten-year-old daughter to follow. The importance of her influence as a role model for her child was the spark that started her running.
To her surprise, she became a role model for others too: in a short space of time, she inspired thousands on social media. Just six months later, Lerato is one of South Africa’s most popular running influencers.
Runner’s World: You only began running and posting on social media in December, and now you have over 65 000 followers on Instagram. That was fast. Was this the plan?
Lerato Mokhaneli: It was never the plan! It had never even been in my thoughts. I just started sharing on social media to inspire and motivate others like me, and to keep myself accountable.
RW: Did you have any previous experience in running, or in digital content creation?
LM: I’ve had no experience in either. I used to run on the treadmill at the gym, and post some videos of my workouts; but that was it.
RW: Did you ever think you’d have this much of a ‘plus-size’ audience?
LM: No. If anything, I was actually expecting to be judged and ridiculed. Even when I started running I did it during December, the quietest time of the season in Johannesburg, because I thought there would be fewer people passing in their cars on the road, judging me.
RW: What has inspired you the most on your journey, so far?
LM: I’m inspired by those who are inspired by me – I don’t know if that makes sense. But when people reach out to me, letting me know that they have started their own journeys because of me… They are the ones who inspire me the most.
RW: How do you balance the challenges every runner has – getting out and running regularly, even when you’re tired or feel like taking a break – with the expectation that you’ll create content and engage with your followers?
LM: For me, it’s not about the content. The content is way last on my list! It’s about me being authentic on this journey, and sharing it. I’ve been making excuses for more than 10 years, since my daughter was born – I was blaming it on the baby weight. I don’t have any more excuses to give. I’ve made the commitment; so whether I want to or not, I have to go out there and run. Sometimes I don’t even share my runs. When I create content, it’s an added bonus to the exercise.
RW: What have you learnt about your own abilities so far?
LM: That I’m a badass! LOL! My mind is so much stronger than I imagined. I figured it out on my own, and saw it first-hand, that running is mental. How you think it will happen – that’s exactly how it will happen.
RW: What do you enjoy most about running?
LM: The feeling of accomplishment after each run. That brings me so much joy – I feel like I’ve accomplished something so big. I always tell myself how proud I am of myself after each run. My goal is definitely weight loss; but like I said before, I’ve seen first-hand how strong I am mentally, to start something and then finish it. Not once, but over and over each day.
RW: What’s the response been, from your family and friends?
LM: Amazing. They are fully supportive. My parents are even coming up from Limpopo to support my races in Johannesburg.
RW: What have been your most difficult runs so far? And your most enjoyable runs?
LM: My first 5K was very difficult. That race even gets me so emotional right now, just thinking about it. It means everything to me, to have started and finished that first one.
My most enjoyable was my furthest one I did a few days ago – a 12km. It was crazy hard, but fun at the same time.
RW: Is ‘plus-size’ an aspect of your life you can talk about freely, or does it take a lot of courage every time?
LM: I’ve always been a confident plus-size woman, so talking about it comes freely to me. I’m not ashamed of who I am or how I currently look at all.
RW: What’s your advice for a plus-size person who’s thinking about starting to run?
LM: Just start! But take it slow, one step at a time. One leg in front of the other. Don’t look at what others do; just focus on yourself, and your own goals. Oh – and walking at first is just as good as running.
RW: What’s coming up for you on the running horizon?
LM: The Spar Women’s Race Tshwane, Total Sports Woman’s Race in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, and Absa Run Your City.
LERATO’S WORLD
Shoes: Asics Cumulus 25 and Asics Gel Kayano 30
Music: I listen to Amapiano and Afrobeats
Dream place to run: Cape Town. I’m looking at the Two Oceans Half next year!
Dream running buddy: Glenrose Xaba – I just love her
Uphills or downhills? Downhills
Running secret: Pace yourself according to what your body allows; always listen to your body
Earliest alarm call for a run: 6am
Favourite follower? FitGlor on Instagram
Phone: iPhone 15 Pro Max
READ MORE ON: Human Race My Running Life