#Comrades2024: Gamede claims grandmaster title

Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) veteran runner and coach, David Gamede, clinched the men’s Comrades Marathon grandmaster (60 to 69) title when he finished the up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on June 9 in 07:04:44.

Gamede gave a valuable lesson to younger runners that age is just a number when he earned his fourth Comrades silver medal after finishing ahead of 1995 champion and 10-time gold medalist John Meiklejohn.

“I can only thank God, my wife and children for their unwavering support. My club, the BAC, which sponsors me and others financially and emotionally, for the incredible support. I also want to thank my coach, Frank de Ascencao of Fordyce Fusion.

“This is the support structure that makes me run like this,” he said.

Meiklejohn grabbed his 22nd Comrades silver when he clocked 07:19:56 for the runner-up spot and Wayne Scott rounded-up podium in 07:32:12.

Paul Kasu led the BAC silver medal charge when he coasted to the finish in 06:53:37 for his third successive silver.

“From the start to 38km, I was okay. My problems started after that. I had blisters on my left toes. It was pain all the way and around 50km, the blisters on my right toes burst,” said Kasu.

“I told myself that through thick and thin, I was going to endure the pain because if I slacked, I would have felt more pain and probably not finished. So I pushed until the finish. It was sweet to see the finish line”.

Debutant Felix Banda added the third in 07:11:48 and Isaac Mokgola, running the ultramarathon in BAC colours for the first time, made it four silvers for the club. It was Mokgola’s third silver in a row.

Of the 63 BAC runners that started the race in Durban, 57 finished, earning the club 15 Bill Rowan, 11 Robert Mtshali, 12 Bronze and 15 Vic Clapham medals, as well as four silvers.

Christina Silale was the first lady after crossing the line in 07:54:32 and veteran Josiah Makoro earned his triple green number. He crossed the line in 09:28:11.

Bronwyn Strydom achieved her double green number in 09:49:33.

“It was a tough day but I had a comfortable run. I’m feeling good but I’m glad it’s over. It’s time for some rest. I’m happy with my green number,” she said.

Brothers Werner and Wiehan van der Berg received their first green numbers in their 10th Comrades. Werner crossed the line in 09:41:59 for a Robert Mtshali medal while Wiehan received a Bill Rowan in 08:14:41.

Gerda Steyn and Piet Wiersma won the women’s and men’s main events.

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