Limpopo athletes conquer Comrades 2024
Polokwane athletes from various clubs showcased the power of will in completing the 2024 Comrades Marathon.
POLOKWANE – Runners from various athletics clubs in Polokwane showcased remarkable grit and determination at the 2024 Comrades Marathon, held in the challenging up-run format from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
The up-run format, notorious for its arduous hills culminating in the daunting Polly Shortts climb, has long been a formidable challenge for many participants.
Runners face Polly Shortts after already covering more than 80km, making the ascent even more gruelling. While some runners find descending hills more enjoyable, the relentless uphill climb of the up-run Comrades Marathon can be an overwhelming prospect.
Thabana Mokgohloa, the chairperson of Polokwane Athletics Club, acknowledged the difficulty of this year’s race.
“People who have never experienced a Comrades Marathon may think it’s easy. We are proud of our runners’ efforts. Our club had the largest representation in the marathon, and we are among the top seven clubs overall. Out of 182 runners from our club, 176 completed the race. This is a testament to their dedication and the club’s growth.”
Mokgohloa also congratulated 82-year-old Johannes Mosehla, one of the oldest runners from their club, who completed the race. “He has been running for 63 years and is a fantastic ambassador for our club. We are thrilled with his accomplishment.”
Colinda Potgieter, the chairperson of Pietersburg Road Runners, shared their success story.
“We represented 19 runners, and 17 of them finished the race. Johan van der Merwe and John Mokgane won medals, and several other runners earned Robert Mtshali medals.”
Richard Bilisii of the Mzansi Athletics Club reported a strong performance as well.
“Out of 77 runners who participated, 74 completed the race in under 10 hours. The race was challenging, especially as it was the first up-run event in five years, but our runners were excited to be part of it. It was well-organised, and we appreciate the support from everyone back home.”
The 2024 Comrades Marathon highlighted the resilience and spirit of Polokwane’s athletes, demonstrating their capacity to conquer one of the world’s toughest endurance races.
