Glen Anil resident nails debut Comrades Marathon
Claude Eksteen won a silver medal at this year’s Ultimate Human Race.
IT is testament to the calibre of athlete Claude Eksteen that just days after his first ever Comrades Marathon, his attention has shifted to his next two challenges, the Virgin Active Warrior Race in July and the Obstacle-course Racing (OCR) World Championships in Belgium later this year.
The 46-year-old, who holds several national titles in triathlons and obstacle-course racing (OCR), completed his debut Comrades run in a time of 06:51:53, earning himself a silver medal.
Running in the colours of Adventure Obstacle Course (AOT) Running Club, Claude said his first Comrades was extremely tough.
“There were a few mixed emotions. I didn’t get the time I wanted, and the marathon itself wasn’t easy. I battled a lot with cramps, and I walked a lot more than what was planned. My wife, Trish, reminded me of the bigger picture, though. I had surgery on my Achilles, and I’m still recovering. Last year, I couldn’t even contemplate running the Comrades, and then at a race in Cape Town at the end of last year, I struggled to finish. She reminded me to look where I’ve come from and to look at this achievement within that context,” he said.
Also read: Dijana wins back-to-back Comrades Marathon title
The Glen Anil resident also praised the support from the crowds along the route.
“Having been a seconder, you see how passionate the supporters are. This year, through being on the flip side, you really get a taste of the energy they bring and the good vibes they give you. The crowds definitely motivated me to keep pushing through the tough patches on my run. I also don’t think you’ll see the sheer numbers of support for an ultra-marathon like the Comrades; it is phenomenal,” he said.
Claude added that his thoughts and training will now shift towards OCR and in particular, two big events.
“It’s surreal how quickly you’ve got to adapt and change training methods. In a month’s time, I’ll be competing in the KZN leg of the Virgin Active Warrior Race and then the big one being the World Champs in Belgium. It is all about shifting my focus and training for those two events,” he said.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
