Wilgeheuwel man shows epic determination to complete Comrades Marathon

The finishing stretch of the Comrades Marathon is a human stream of triumphant ecstasy, dogged tenacity and the agonising heartbreak of dashed dreams.

As the bodies begin crossing, trudging, crawling and the eventually falling over the line, the 12-hour clock looms like a silently ticking guillotine. The glory goes to the early finishers but a monumental achievement is attained by anyone who finds the mental fortitude to command their spirit to force their limbs to evade that 12-hour gun. Hours may separate runners but they are all equal in their superhuman ability to conquer the greatest feat of endurance this side of the equator.

Having excelled more as an athlete in a team environment, Derrick de Villiers did not not consider himself a runner. Inspired by his wife Nicole’s running experience, he began his road-running adventure alongside her at a night race in Krugersdorp. With each run he grew in confidence until only the greatest road-running challenge within South Africa’s borders was left. Many years and toenails later, De Villiers celebrated his second Comrades Marathon medal, finishing in a time of 11 hours, 57 minutes.

The state broadcaster may not televise the race any longer but a subconscious seed was planted in Derrick, and many others, long before the challenge was accepted.

“Growing up in a sport-loving family, I remember the braai was going and the Comrades was on the TV in the background. Later in the afternoon the family would gather around to watch the final moments. We didn’t even know anyone running at the time but I remember being inspired and having an emotional connection to these people doing this incredible proudly South African race,” he recalled.

Wondering then if he might ever lace up his trainers, he took that giant leap for the first time in 2019. “Managing to complete the 2019 edition the thought of a back-to-back medal was too mouth-watering. Who would have thought that it would only happen in 2022 again?” reminisced the 35-year-old, his eyes lighting up with a glint reserved only for those who have passed through the hallowed gates.

Not content with just ensuring he was physically up to the task, De Villiers was pragmatic in his preparations, taking on as much theory as possible.

“What I took out of it was ‘just keep moving and you will make it’. So my aim was to maintain a pace of approximately 7:47 minutes per km and to finish between 11:40 / 11:59 hours and that’s exactly what happened.”

Of the just over 13 000 runners who began in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday August 28, De Villiers was one of the 11 700 who crossed line in Durban. Anyone doing it for the second time or more would have had a unique training experience, but nothing can prepare a runner for what lies on the tormenting stretches of asphalt.

“The support at Comrades, from the sponsors to the locals, is indescribable. This gets you through the majority of the way but seeing my family along the route ignited a never-give-up flame inside of me.”

Speaking of the greatest obstacles, De Villiers said,

“The mental challenge begins at the start line. You question yourself and whether you have prepared or if you are ready to be on the road the whole day. From 40km onwards, I found the portions of the run where there were no supporters really challenging. All you hear is feet pounding the tarmac – a total contrast from the start of the race.”

Once an obstacle has been overcome, repeating the feat gets easier but with personal goals scratched off the list, new ones can be added.

“I would say I am done now as I got my back-to-back medals but the Comrades is something special. It is definitely more than just a race and will draw me back for sure,” he said.

With a special message for those most important in his life, De Villiers said, “I would like to thank all my family and friends for their support before, during and after the race. A big thank you to my dad for assisting and supporting me on route. Most importantly, I would like to say a massive thank you to my incredible wife for always being my number-one supporter. Nicole supports my crazy idea, especially with our 10-month-old boy Luke being such a handful. Without her I couldn’t achieve any of my running goals.”