Comrades Marathon runner shares secrets to success

Ziningi Ndlovu (40) known as Zii, a member of Fourways Road Runner Club, was recently crowned first lady of the club in the 2024 Comrades Marathon.

Ndlovu conquered the gruelling race for the second time and finished in 08:00:33. After suffering injuries in early February this year, she still managed to overcome said injuries, mental barriers, and self-doubt to compete and conquer.

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Her journey began when she first took on the challenge of running the Comrades Marathon, inspired by her mother’s encouragement and her own ambition.

“I was determined to tackle a lot of ‘firsts’ in a short span of eight months: I ran my first marathon in October 2022, then Two Oceans in April 2023, and Comrades was next in June 2023,” said Ndlovu.

Despite facing injuries and setbacks along the way, Ndlovu remained committed to her training and relied on her support system to stay motivated.

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Her favourite part of the course is the emotional connection she shares with others along the way.

“The bond shared with fellow runners, the support from the Comrades community, the random supporter’s commentary, and the sheer joy of conquering such a monumental challenge are incredibly motivating.”

Ndlovu’s go-to nutrition strategy involves carbo-loading before the race and hydrating by increasing her water and electrolyte intake two days before the event. She also relies on Maurten gels or race mix every 45–60 minutes during the race to prevent triggering stitches and to stay properly fuelled.

Her most memorable moment was crossing the finish line after enduring such a gruelling race, especially since she had taken on an adaptive approach due to her injury.

“The plan was to do 08:30:15, and somehow I managed 08:00:33. I got overwhelmed with emotions; it still feels surreal.”

Meeting her family and daughter along the route was the cherry on top.

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering running the Comrades Marathon for the first time, Ndlovu simply said, “Just do it; everything else will just fall into place.”

Ndlovu’s inspiring story serves as a testament to the power of mental resilience and determination. Her journey is a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and support from loved ones, anyone can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

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