Local runners conquer gruelling Comrades Marathon

On Sunday morning in the raucous darkness of Durban, more than 20 000 runners, powered by nerves, adrenaline, and the ‘Chariots of Fire’ theme song, crossed the start line of the 2024 Comrades Marathon. This is the oldest and largest ultramarathon in the world and has the self-explanatory nickname, the Ultimate Human Race when runners take on over 80km to Pietermaritzburg with hills called Polly Shorts and the ‘No Name Hill’ eating away at their tired legs and muscles. The first instinct is to stop, but that is when companionship sets in and runners motivate one another to push forward and to take that complacent step over the finish line and celebrate with fellow comrades in achieving what most people can only dream about.

Vryheid was once again well represented at this year’s Marathon and stepped into the limelight with excellent times:
Mcebiseni Msezane – 06:41:16;
Jeanine Theron – 08:29:16;
Gugu Nkosi – 10:35:16;
Melissa Scheepers – 09:34:07;
Martin Schoeman – 10:31:51;
Bianca Vosloo – 09:53:06;
Carla Muller – 10:33:50;
Samantha Johannes – 10:33:49;
Michelle Baeta – 11:17:04;
Tholiwe Hlope – 11:32:45;
Ruzelle Grobberlaar – 11:35:22;
Hackson Maseko – 11:52:02;
Siyanda Mnube – 11:58:22;
Andrea de Beer – 10:14:21;
Vlam de Beer – 10:14:21;
PJ du Toit – 10:18:41;
Simphiwe Buthelezi – 09:57:00;
Hlobisile Madida – 10:17:10;
Ntokoza Mbatha – 10:41:24;
Mandla Mnisi – 10:06:39; and
Jabulani Ndwandwe – 11:19:29.

Jeanine Theron was Vryheid’s first woman to reach the finish line and received a Bill Rowan medal. When the Vryheid Herald asked her about her race, her answer was: “My WHY was my kinders, ma en Loubser. Asook Emma, ‘n baie brawe dogterjie. Ek het elke kilometer vir hulle gehardloop. Daar was ook soveel boodskappe langs die pad met ‘Jesus loves you’ wat my gedra het. One Step at a time…”
Mcebiseni Msezane received a silver medal and had the following to say about his race: “I always say this to myself my training will take me to the finish.”