Local BBAC Comrades runners go for final ‘fun run’ before the big day
Among the BBAC entrants is Anton Nkabini, who will be running his 28th Comrades
Fourteen Biggarsberg Athletics Club (BBAC) members had a team-building run and breakfast on Saturday in the run-up to the 96th Comrades Marathon.
Novices Deagan Hilliar and sister-in-law Ashley Hilliar, along with Clifford Mkhonza, will be tackling the biggest and oldest ultra-marathon in the world. This year’s Comrades is a ‘down run’ that gets underway at 05:30 from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and ends 12 hours later at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban – a distance of 87.7km.
Among the BBAC entrants is Anton Nkabini, who will be running his 28th Comrades. The 57-year-old police detective has 18 silver medals, two Bill Rowan medals (awarded to anyone finishing Comrades between 07:30 and 8:59.59) and seven bronze.
“I started running while I was in school and have not stopped since.
“I really enjoy it, as it takes away the stress of work,” Nkabini said.
He added that he is ‘never scared of the Comrades’ and is constantly training by going on a weekly 30km run in the two months before race day.
Siya Ngobese and Debbie Eloff of BBAC hosted the runners and their supporters to breakfast at Wimpy following an early-morning team-building run around central Dundee.
BBAC runners who will be taking on this year’s Comrades Marathon (number of Comrades to their name in brackets):
1. Anton Nkabini (27)
2. Vusi Sibisi (24)
3. Shane Hilliar (12)
4. Sanele Nxumalo (12)
5. Sibingiseni Sibisi (4)
6. Ashley Hilliar (0 – novice)
7. Joel Khumalo (11)
8. Khetha Mchunu (14)
9. Clifford Mkhonza (0 – novice)
10. Xolani Mazibuko (20)
11. Zwelakhe Msimango (2)
12. Deagen Hilliar (0 – novice)
13. Simakahle Khumalo (2)
14. Philmon Zondi (5).
All the best to them!
