Lucas Nel was born in 20 July 1923 and his illustrious running career began with his first Comrades Marathon in 1947. He finished fourth out of 47 contestants without any training and received his first Comrades Marathon gold medal.
In 2000 at the age of 76, Lucas was the oldest person to complete the Comrades. He is one of the world’s fastest and fittest octogenarians, and represented Natal regularly in his youth. He now counts among only four living South African Master athletes who hold world records in their respective events and age groups.
At the age of 90 he set the World Masters Record for the 200 m in Brazil, with a time of 38,04 seconds – a record that he still holds today where South Africa’s athletes put on a phenomenal display in the World Masters Championships winning a total of 76 medals to place seventh overall. He won five gold medals in 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m and 1500 m.