Third time Comrades silver for Frans
I can just pride myself with a time of 6:55:24.
Frans Mola from Simunye in Westonaria once again proved his mettle against the cream of the crop at this year’s Comrades Marathon.
It was Frans’ third appearance at the Comrades, and he claimed a silver medal again.
On the day, he was in the second chasing bunch with third-placed Bongumsa Mthembu and Gift Kelehe (the 2015 champ) in the early stages of the race.
Frans is from Mohlakeng where he made his mark as junior athlete with the likes of former friend and training partner Vincent Kutoane and the late Elizabeth Mthombeni under the guidance of the late Dennis Noge at Mohlakeng Athletics Club (MAC). The club is famous for competing in both provincial and national circles.
After his time at MAC, he left the area with Kutoane to run for the then Midrand-based PowerAde Athletics Club and Telkom, but soon moved on, to Gold Fields South Deep Athletics Club, where he has stayed.
“It was a tough call in the down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. I did have challenges of cramps but I managed to stay on. I can just pride myself with a time of 6:55:24, which is a bit slower than last year’s time.
“I have realised that I am good at the up run from Durban to Maritzburg.
I could also see that I do have the match of the top guys in the bunch, it was only a matter of physical and mental strength,” Frans said.
He added that he had prepared for a 6-hour berth finishing time which he achieved but was honest enough to say “I have to go back to improve on my weaknesses.”
“I would like to thank Gold Fields for the effort and support of seconding on the route, as well as equipment such as gear and running shoes. After Comrades, my concentration will once again be on the Central Gauteng Athletics Cross Country league event in the sub-veterans section. I am going to run all the leagues including the CGA Champs and the SA Champs in George”.
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