WATCH: Comrades runner shares essentials for running belt
Durban resident Martin van der Merwe shares what he keeps in his running belt.
RUNNING the 90km of the Comrades Marathon is the ultimate test of endurance, but have you ever wondered what runners do with their essentials?
The answer is investing in a good running belt that is convenient and holds your essentials.
A Durban resident and member of the Riverside Harriers Running Club, Martin van der Merwe, recently spoke to Northglen News about what he keeps in his running belt.
“This is hopefully going to be my fifth Comrades Marathon overall, and if there are two bits of advice I can pass on to first-time runners of the marathon, it would be to never wear anything new on the day and to invest in a good running belt. In my experience, more than 90% of athletes use a running belt.
“For me, essentials are my cellphone and energy sachets, and sometimes, I like to bring some biltong or a few jelly sweets to help on the long distances. I don’t use my smartphone because it’s heavier and adds a bit of weight to your belt; I prefer using one of the smaller pay-as-you-go devices which is handier. I find this belt I have is quite snug, so it doesn’t move up or down. Your running belt needs to be comfortable because you need to keep your hands free when on the route,” he said.
Van der Merwe said he aims to run his race under 11 hours and also paid tribute to the supporters and fellow runners on the Comrades Marathon route.
“My plan when I started was to do one up run and a down run, but the Comrades has become more of a massive part of my life, so much so that I see it as the best day of the year. The camaraderie and spirit of the runners on Comrades day are incredible. We are all equals on the day, and we all encourage each other along the route; it is such a humbling experience,” he said.
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