A Vosloorus athlete shared his first experience of the Comrades Marathon after he recently scooped a bronze medal at the race, held in Kwa Zulu-Natal.
Lucky Amon Zwane (42) reached out to Kathorus residents and business people, desperately seeking funding and assistance for transport and accommodation for the duration of his trip.
After struggling to secure funds, the Central Gauteng Athletics Club (CGAC) came to the rescue.
He said the CGAC made it possible for him and the other 60 athletes from Johannesburg to board the bus from Johannesburg to Durban.
“I managed to catch the bus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. CGAC also provided us with accommodation and food while we were camping at the YMCA hall in Pietermaritzburg just a few metres from City Hall,” said Zwane.
He said he was fully prepared to run the Comrades Marathon and was excited to be part of this massive marathon.
“When I got to Durban on Saturday morning, I managed to stretch my legs by running 15km, together with other athletes.
“Everyone was in a good mood and there were athletes from different provinces in South Africa and abroad.
“I woke up early on Sunday morning and entered seeding B, which I was provided by the Comrades Marathon Association.
“I even had a chance to shake hands with the Pietermaritzburg mayor before the race. Apparently, he was greeting all the athletes to wish them well ahead of the race.”
The Comrades Marathon Race
As a first-time runner at the 90km race, Zwane shared strategies that worked for him during the race.
He mentioned that he started the race slowly for the first 25km and picked up speed when he reached Drummond, which was downhill to Pinetown.
He had to stop along the road for a massage and to ease the terrible pain in his legs.
“I am glad emergency workers and the water station were available on the spot during the race. My last 10km was a little bit difficult for me because I had a slight injury on my left knee, but I did manage to reach the finish line while enduring the pain,” he explained.
The atmosphere changed when he saw the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“Of course, I was excited when I saw Moses Mabhida Stadium. I was running with my Standard Bank teammate Bongani from Spruitview.
The pair received the bronze Comrades Marathon medal after crossing the finish line at the stadium.
“I am proud that I am officially one of the historical athletes on their list. Thanks to the Kathorus team and thank you so much to Kathorus MAIL for making this journey possible for me. May God continues to bless you all,” he concluded.
The 42-year-old athlete is still requesting school shoe donations or monetary donations to purchase and distribute to various institutions across Gauteng and Free State, where he is originally from.
To donate contact Zwane on 083 316 6142.
