Benoni Northerns and Benoni Harriers athletic clubs held their respective Comrades breakfasts on the morning of Sunday, May 24, as local runners prepare for the challenge of this year’s up run, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Northerns had a record 235 registered entries for this year’s race, of which 171 qualified to run it (another record).
The club also had 49 novices qualify for the race (another record).
A few Northerns runners will be taking on their 10th Comrades challenge and this achievement will be honoured by the awarding of a permanent and coveted Green Number.
Sipho Dzingwa, Toni Da Matta, Richard Pretorius, Govindasamy “Paul” Pillay, Chantal Keyser and Avhapfani Makhesha are the Northerns athletes who will be going for green, while club chairman Derek “Irish” Wright will be going for his 20th Comrades, which will be honoured by the awarding of a Double Green Number.
Other Double Green runners from the club this year are Jan Jordaan (24), Gregory Bishop (20), David Jacobs (24) and Gunter Stapel (20).
Benoni Harriers will be sending a contingent of 45 runners, including six women.
Fourteen of the club’s total number are novice runners, while 18 have done three or more Comrades Marathons.
Narish Nana will be going for his Green Number, while Bekinkosi Ngubane will be aiming for his Double Green Number.
Harriers’ James Reid will be looking to complete his 25th marathon.
