The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is saddened by the passing of former Comrades Marathon runner and elite club manager, Dana Coetzee.
Coetzee completed 20 Comrades, earning his double laurels in the esteemed Comrades Green Number Club.
Running in his 1273 permanent number, he ran his first Comrades Marathon in 1980, going on to earn 12 silver, four Bill Rowan and four bronze medals.
He achieved his Comrades personal best in a time of 6:33:15 in 1988.
CMA chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo said, “Coetzee leaves behind a lasting legacy of running the great race; as well as managing elite running clubs and top athletes who have achieved amazing things. His passion and drive for the sport we all love so much have seen him drive athletes to sheer accomplishment. He was a motivational force that will inspire the best in all of us.”
The former chairperson of Murray and Roberts Running Club, Ed Jardim said, “Dana Coetzee was known and loved by many in the running community. An accomplished runner himself, he dedicated much of his life to the sport, and as a result, would go to a race event and be able to greet every second person.
“He was incredibly well-known and a passionate fellow runner. Running and those involved in the sport, both athlete and organiser, were an integral part of Dana’s life and he committed himself to the betterment of it all. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Dana.”
Rowyn James, former CMA race and operations manager, said Coetzee was admired for his passion and professionalism.
“I have known Dana for many years through our respective running careers and common crossover within the road running fraternity. I got to work closely with him during the advent of the Murray and Roberts pro running team where he was team manager and admired his passion and professionalism in getting the team established, particularly on the women’s side which became a dominant team within the road running circuit.
“His care, concern, empathy and unwavering support towards the athletes was a standout feature and a hallmark of his personality. A great loss to the sport, go well my friend, you ran a great and brave race.”
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