Well-known Comrades Marathon runner Chaman Ramphal won first prize in his category at the annual Gandhi Walk last weekend. This win is no surprise for Chaman, as he wins the veteran category every year. He says it is always a pleasure doing this walk, as it is in honour of a very great man, Mahatma Gandhi.
Last week, Chaman also completed his fourth consecutive Mandela Marathon over a distance of 42.2km and says that although many runners find this race to be extremely difficult, he completed it comfortably. Even a great running icon like Bruce Fordyce, who did this inaugural Mandela Marathon four years ago, said it was the hardest marathon he has ever run and said he will never do another Mandela Marathon.
The race started at 7am from Manaya Hall in Pietermaritzburg, where Nelson Mandela delivered his last public speech as a free man, and ended in Howick at the capture site in Tweedie, where he was arrested.
Chaman says it was lovely to be part of such a prestigious marathon in honour of the father of the nation, just as Gandhi was.
Chaman has accrued many running achievements over the years. He has done 15 Comrades Marathons and was the first Emnambithi Striders runner to do the 100-miler (161km) together with the triple challenge consisting of the longest day race, the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon.
He was also the first member of Emnambithi Striders to do four Mount-Aux-Sources marathons and has conquered many other marathons and ultra-marathons.
He says he would like to wish Emnambithi Striders members and all other runners the very best for the future and hopes to see many participating in upcoming marathons.
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