BN runners ready for the Big ‘C’
About 165 runners from Benoni Northerns Athletics Club (BNAC) will line up at the start line of the 2016 Comrades Marathon in the early hours of Sunday morning (May 29).
Twenty-five novice BNAC runners will take on this year’s 89km down run on the undulating road from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
The historic ultra marathon is dubbed “The Ultimate Human Race” and the newcomers in KwaZulu-Natal will be striving to achieve their personal goals in what is one of the truest tests of physical and mental character in the sport.
Derek Wright, chairman of BNAC, said at the club’s annual pre-Comrades breakfast, held at Benoni Country Club, on Sunday, May 22, that Benoni Northerns has an extremely proud record of their novices doing well, especially by those who have been involved in the club trainings.
On average BNAC usually has about six or seven runners hoping to complete their 10th Comrades Marathon and join the illustrious and prestigious Green Number Club.
This year, however, it will only be member Barry Kendall who will be hoping to cross the finish line for the tenth time while German veteran Dieter Stapel is almost a certainty to complete his 20th Comrades Marathon and earn a Double Green Number.
Sidwell Mhlongo will be the club’s oldest participant from BNAC at the age of 71-years-old.
“I want you all to remember one thing,” said Wright who has completed 20 Comrades himself.
“When you run for Benoni Northerns it is not an individual sport – it is a team event.
“From arriving at the start until you cross the finish line you are with all your mates in body and spirit.
“You are not alone.
“Feel the support and warmth of the club during the tough times and share the elation with them when you achieve your finish,” he added.
