Duma takes on the Comrades with a mission
With every step that his running shoes hit the tar, Thulani Duma knows what he is running for. He is doing this for his wife and three young children.
Duma, who relocated from Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal to Modimolle in 2014, says that his wife, Leah Tutse, has breast cancer. “I hope to win some prize money so that I can get her quality medical care. She is due for an operation in Polokwane this week. My children and I need their mother,” he said. The couple’s children are Tetelo (7) and the twins Amokelo and Amekelang (4).
Duma, a seasoned runner from Modimolle, is taking part in his eleventh Comrades marathon on Sunday 9 June. This year the legendary ultra-marathon of 85,91 km is an up run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg that starts at 05:30 and the last runners need to cross the finish line by 17:30. This year’s run is the shortest in the marathon’s 97-year history, according to the Comrades website.
The 43-year-old Duma, who was a professional runner for the Nedbank Running Club before Covid-19-pandemic hit and his twins were born, aims for his best Comrades time yet.
“I’m stronger and fitter than I was before. I’m ready for this,” he said.
During the 2017 marathon, he placed fifth at the halfway mark, but his calve muscles started cramping at 70 km and he fell back. During the same year, he placed 26th in the Two Oceans Marathon. He has won numerous other marathons.
“I’m aiming for a sub-6-hour run this year. My previous best time was 6:08,” he said.
Dedication is Duma’s middle name. As a security guard at Jumas Security, his work shifts often do not allow him to run during the day.
“I do most of my runs at night at around 01:00 to prepare for the Comrades. And I must compliment the Modimolle Police as I feel very safe. I come across patrols through town every 20 to 30 minutes,” he said.
As part of his training plan, he runs around 200 km a week.
“I’m in good shape and have dropped my weight from 65 kg to 56 kg.” He knows the roads from Modimolle to Bela-Bela and Vaalwater like the back of his hand. “I am strong with upruns and the steep hills in our area offer me great preparation.”
He says that he gets great support from his employer and his colleagues.
Diet is an important part of a runner’s preparation.
“I keep it simple and feed my body what it needs: healthy food. I avoid too much sugar and fat such as beef and dairy products and mostly eat rice, potatoes, and green vegetables like spinach and cabbage. I prefer chicken without the skin on for protein. A runner needs to listen to their body and know what it wants,” he explained.
Will his age count against him?
“Older runners, like former winner David Gatebe, have the benefit of experience and they tend to train harder with longer mileage which keeps them strong at the end of the race,” he said.
Duma is running for the Zakhele Running Club. Those who want to follow his progress on the Comrades App. during the race can use his race number #27826.
