#Comrades2024: Northerns chairperson ready for 10th Comrades
She ran her first Comrades in 2010 and will earn her green number when she crosses the finish line in Pietermaritzburg.
Benoni Northerns Sports Club (BNSC) chairperson Emma da Silva is ready to receive her green number when she completes her 10th Comrades Marathon on Sunday.
Da Silva will line up alongside 170 other BNAC runners outside the Durban City Hall and will journey together for 85.9km to Pietermaritzburg.
She explained it’s taken her years of discipline and sacrifices to reach this milestone, adding she’s looking forward to holding her permanent number at the finish at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg.
“I’m exceptionally nervous. But I think for Comrades, the elements of nerves are what see us get to the finish. I’m super excited and can’t wait to start and have that green number in my hand,” she said.
She made her debut in the 2010 up-run won by Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi and eight-time women’s winner Elena Nurgalieva from Russia. She clocked 11:33:22 for a Vic Clapham medal.
The chairperson has since earned four Vic Clapham, two bronze and three Robert Mtshali medals and recorded her PB in last year’s down-run when she completed the race in 09:30:18.
“It was amazing,” she said about her first Comrades.
“I can remember it like it was yesterday. Everyone tells you that you can do it but you think there’s no way.
Standing at the start in 2010, I was nervous. The atmosphere was electric. I cried and had one of the best days of my life. I remember the whole journey. It was fantastic.”
The electric atmosphere, meeting like-minded people on the marathon route and the friends she has made were life-changing, she said.
“We have a different bond. We all want the same things out of life and are all disciplined. It’s that discipline that keeps us together within our environment.”
Da Silva said she’s looking forward to the infectious vibe created by the thousands of spectators along the route.
“I’m looking forward to having all the unwritten rules where people wish you well along the way and ensure you get to the end. I’m running with my partner. I think that’s amazing. I hope to see all my friends on the road and holding the green number at the end,” said Da Silva.
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