Security guard to run his 7th Comrades Marathon

The annual Comrades Marathon will take place on 10 June and a security guard in Rivonia hopes to complete his seventh marathon.

Nelson Mathebula is a humble 46-year-old security guard at a business in Rivonia, who started running to get fit but never dreamt of running the Comrades Marathon.

Mathebula has completed six Comrades Marathons since his first in 2012. In 2005, he realised he needed to get fit after he dropped a pen one day and was unable to pick it up.

“I bent down to pick it up but could not reach,” he said.

“I had to roll the pen with my foot and sit down to pick it up.”

Shortly after that, he started running to get into shape and it took him seven years to prepare for his first Comrades.

“My first Comrades was in 2012 and my first Two Oceans Marathon was in 2014. I haven’t stopped running since then.”

He said he would be happy to run 11 consecutive Comrades. “After 10 Comrades, you get the green number and then I will run my 11th with the green number.”

Mathebula has completed most of the big marathons and has to date amassed a mammoth 72 medals since 2012 for various half-, full- and ultra-marathons.

He prepares by waking up at 5am, four days a week. “For the Comrades Marathon, we start running a little later to train for the heat.” The practice runs vary in distance from 10km and 60km and he is part of the Morningside running club.

Mathebula is a sub-eleven runner and his best time is 10:44:00 which was on a ‘down run’ from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

“Last year was my worst time on the ‘up run’ with a time of 11:59:52. I made it with eight seconds to spare.”

He is very strict about the condition of his running shoes and buys a new pair every year. The father of five thinks about his children and his wife while running. “I always ‘quit’ along the route, but after crossing the finish line, I tell myself I am coming back next year.

“The atmosphere and the people along the route also help motivate me when they shout at me to keep going.”

Mathebula smiles when he says this year is another ‘down-run’ which he finds a little easier. “I only do this for fun. Most people only run the Comrades Marathon once in their life, but I want to run at least 11 marathons.”

If all goes well, Mathebula will compete in his 10th marathon when he is 50 years old.

He is fortunate to have private sponsors that help him out with entry fees, flight tickets, transport, and accommodation, but is looking for assistance for running shoes.

Mathebula’s marathon times:

• 2012 – 10:51:36
• 2013 – 11:17:34
• 2014 – 11:46:34
• 2015 – 11:56:50
• 2016 – 10:44
• 2017 – 11:59:52

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