Comrades: The first but not the last
These runners all made it across the finish line and hope to do so again next year.
Four runners from the Roodepoort Athletics Club took part in the Comrades Marathon for the very first time and all made it to the finish line.
Ronald Hlongwane, Tshepo Motsie, Lebogang Gaaje and Sherwin Julius all expressed their joy at having finished the race, as it is not similar to other races, but requires more endurance, and not all runners who start can finish.
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“Comrades has made me appreciate the power of the human spirit and our endurance. We are limitless when we put our minds to something,” said Tshepo.
Ronald added he would like to express his thanks to those who helped and supported him through this journey.
All added they would like to try again next year, however, they are in unison about working harder and being better prepared as they are now clearer on what to expect.
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Sherwin explained he believes every person should try the Comrades at least once in their lives, however by God’s grace he will return next year, while Tshepo says he would like to join the many runners on the Roodepoort Athletics Club’s walls for their achievements at the Comrades.
“I think I held back too much on my first Comrades because the main aim was to finish my first one and get that medal that we all wish to hang around our necks as runners. So, in the future I would like to run my race and prepare enough especially with strength training, core and quads strength as the route is quite taxing,” added Lebogang.
Their advice to prospective Comrades runners would be to commit to running the race and prepare beforehand. Sherwin added not to be afraid not to finish, but to at least try and not give up, ‘we just keep moving and looking forward to helping them finish next year’.
“My advice is that it is true what they say that ‘after you finish Comrades you feel like you can conquer anything’, I am living testimony of that statement. We all started with that run around the block, then 5km to 10km so it’s never too late to start. This year the eldest runner was 81 years old and that is motivation enough for you to start. Comrades will teach you a lot about yourself even the strength that you didn’t know you possess will come out that day … good luck,” said Lebogang.
He then concluded by saying most are ‘blessed’ to run and finish a race such as the Comrades, ‘while some people aren’t even able to walk, never take that for granted, not even for a second’.
