Callies set to collect medals at Comrades
Words of encouragement for Germiston Callies Harriers athletes who are headed to the 94th edition of the Comrades Marathon.
The annual Germiston Callies Harriers’ Comrades send-off breakfast was held, on Sunday, at Sha-Mani Lodge in Alberton, ahead of the 94th edition of the Comrades Marathon set to take place on June 9, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Due to the growth in numbers the club had to find a suitable venue to accommodate 200 Callies members and their families.
The purpose of the breakfast was to advise runners on the arrangements of the Comrades.
Callies provides four aid stations along the Comrades route, whose primary purpose is to provide a place where the club’s runners can collect their particular drinks, gels or sometimes a change of clothes or shoes, as well as some basic first aid items.
The stations provide aid to runners from other clubs as well.
The four aid stations will be situated at Gillitts, Heidi’s Farm Stall, Cato Ridge and at the bottom of Polly Shortts.
Eighty-five Callies athletes entered the marathon this year, 18 of which are novices.
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There is one runner going for his permanent green number, by running his 10th race.
“Fred Macdougall, former chairperson of Callies, will be running his 30th consecutive Comrades for his triple green number,” said Les Black from Germiston Callies Harriers.
John Hamlett, who has coached a number of top Comrades athletes and a Comrades winner, was the first speaker on the day.
Hamlett has run a number of ultramarathons and was a member of Germiston Callies in the 1980’s.
He gave the runners advice on what to do and what not to do at the Comrades.
“Alan Robb, who is a Callies member, a Comrades winner and has run 42 consecutive Comrades, had encouraging words for the runners and expanded on Callies’ proud history as the most successful club at the Comrades Marathon,” said Black.
“No other club has achieved what Callies has regarding the Comrades.
“We are looking forward to getting five or six silver medals from our top runners this year.
“They have put in a lot of hard work including training at high altitude in Dullstroom.”
As per the norm, Callies revealed this year’s Comrades tracksuits and hoodies to be sported in Durban.
“Thank you to Ackermans Pharmacy based in Primrose for these fine items,” said Black.
ALSO READ: Germiston Callies head to the Comrades
Macdougal was the last runner to receive his tracksuit which was handed to him by Robb.
Robb not only presented him with his sportswear package, but also a banner of encouragement signed by all of the club’s Comrades runners.
“We wish all Callies runners and friends a successful Comrades run.
“May you all achieve your individual goals,” said Black.
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