Review spoke to several runners participating in the 2019 Comrades who gave advice to fellow runners for the upcoming race.
“Runners must make sure that they look after themselves during the run and enjoy every minute of the race. Yes it will be hard at some stage, but it is all worth it in the end,” Rocky Mojela says.The comrades marathon journey has been life changing and unforgettable to everyone. My first comrades was a dare to prove to my friends that it is more important to have a strong mind to finish than to be fit. The comrades marathon is not only a race, but a celebration of life. You have to put one foot in front of the other to achieve your goals. And like everything in life, you have to be prepared to work extremely hard for it and that is what the comrades teach you,” Koketso Gumbo said.“The Comrades is a challenge in different ways for different people. It is an achievement to get there and more so to finish the race. Runners should take it step by step and make sure they enjoy it through the pain and feelings of wanting to give up. It is an experience like nothing else in the world,” Johan van Graan says.“Running the Comrades is one of the hardest things I have done in my life, your legs hurt your toes hurt and there is a lot of negative things going through your mind. The trick is to make the best of it and not give up, think positive and keep an eye on the goal of completing the race, something that many people never even try,” Dries Stolts says.The difference between possible and impossible lies in a determination – we are behind you – we know you can do it – you’ve done what you need to do to complete the comrades marathon – go and make us proud” Deon Jewaskewietz says.“Runners must know that qualifying for Comrades is an achievement in itself, further than that they must just go there to enjoy the experience and have fun with their peers. However, finishing the Comrades marathon is an unimaginable experience that they will cherish for the rest of their life time, so do your best to see the finish line.” Richard Bilisi Rambiyana says.
