Maylah aims to complete 25th Om Die Dam

Roodepoort Athletics Club ace Mayla Pieterse will be running her 25th Old Mutual Om Die Dam Ultra Marathon this year.

If she crosses the finish line on the 21 March, she will become the first female in South Africa to complete all 25 Om Die Dam marathon since it started in 1991.

The Old Mutual Om die Dam Ultra Marathon will take place on 21 March and is the largest inland ultra-marathon in South Africa, offering a 50 kilometreroute, a 21 kilometre half-marathon, a 10 kilometre route and a 5 kilometre fun run.

The race attracts more than 7 000 participants from around the country due to its scenic route via the Hartbeespoort Dam.

The 58-year-old started running in school as a sprinter and after university, her interest in long distance running started.

She has participated in more than 100 different marathons and said the key to a good race is in the mind.

“It’s all about mental training, I visualise myself crossing the finish line and that helps keep me going when the race is tough,” she said.

Maylah, a Northcliff resident also points to dedication and a strong support system as the reason why she has been able to participate and complete marathons.

“Running is a way to get to know myself and I always stay positive. But there are always negative elements I have to deal with while running like heat, but you have to stay positive and intrinsically motivate yourself during the race.

The Laerskool Claremont mathematics teacher and school councillor wakes up at 4am every morning for her training. She uses the principles of being an educator to make herself a better educator and inspire her pupils.

“Running is all about keeping a positive mindset, being calm and to be able to endure which are principles that I apply in the classroom. My pupils know about my achievements in the sport and this inspires them to do better,” she said.

The Om Die Dam Marathon is not the only event Maylah has participated in. This year, she will be competing in her 25th Comrades Marathon. She has also participated in the 24 hour marathon six times, coming in first position four times. She has raced in the City to City Marathon 18 times, the RAC Tough Ones 23 times and the Loskop Marathon 17 times.

Maylah has been part of the Roodepoort Athletics Club since January 1991 and is grateful for the support the club has given her over the years.

“It is all about endurance and motivating yourself. Seeing all my club members at the finish line pavilion cheering me on is an amazing feeling. They have been with me every step of the way and their support is always amazing whether it’s during a race or when I’m training,” said Maylah.

She also added how privileged she feels to still be competing at her age and wants to inspire more people to be interested in the sport.

“Running is a great way to relieve stress and the feeling you get as you achieve a goal of finishing a marathon or even winning it is amazing and I want people to experience it,” she said.