More than 25 medals from the 2014 Comrades Marathon have been brought home to Kwatsaduza by the group running under KwaThema Striders’ banner.
Local runners were among thousands of people from here and around the world who participated in the gruelling race on Sunday.
This year’s race was the 89 km “downhill” run starting from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
The Comrades is recognised as the world’s largest and oldest ultra marathon race taking place annually.
Sibusiso Mlengetya got the fastest time in the team, clocking 7:08 minutes to claim a silver medal.
He said it was his coach who encouraged him to spend his weekends training.
Sibusiso also acknowledged that the 42km races he participated in, assisted with his preparation.
His goal now, he says, is to be in the top 10 before he wins his 20th Comrades medal, with six more Comrades to go.
Sipho Ditle, a novice, said the race was tough and needed patience.
He attributes his performance to the guidance he received from his more experienced teammates and says he is looking forward to doing it again.
Silver medal
l Sibusiso Mlengetya (37) has 10 silver and four Bill Rowan medals.
Bill Rowan medal (cut-off in nine hours)
l Motile Mahlaba (45) fourth Comrades medal.
Bronze medals
l Mandla Masango (50) three Comrades medals.
l Velaphi Chiya (55) five Comrades medals.
l John Khumalo (45) 13 Comrades medals.
l Thabo Matseme (52) 11 Comrades medals.
l Titus Huma (56) seven Comrades medals.
l Simon Makgoro (54) seven Comrades medals.
l Sipho Ditle (42) one Comrades medal.
l Fernando Ceovane (32) two Comrades medals.
l Lincoln Lottering (53) 11 Comrades medals
l Mzimkhulu Ngubeni (51) back to back race.
l Jerry Makhonjwa (48) second back to back race.
l Eddingtong Masuku (52) second back to back race.
l Bafana Mdaki (46) representing SAPS three medals Vic Chapman
l Lesiba Sema (38) was running his first Comrades and also represented SAPS.
l Joseph Sibiya arrived at the finish line nine minutes after the final cut-off, preventing him from claiming his fourth Comrades medal.
Saturday pre-race
l Jacqui Mokwatle, four pre-race bronze medals.
l Khanyisile Huma, one pre-race bronze medal.
l Codesta Mabena, one pre-race and received her first bronze medal.
