AMANZIMTOTI Athletics Club reports that this year’s 90th Comrades Marathon up run had all the makings of a great race – the good, the bad and the ugly – and it was great to see both a South African winning the women’s and men’s races.
It made everyone proudly South African to see the great run by Caroline Wostmann Two Oceans winner and now the women’s Comrades champion.
Some 16,200 athletes started the race in Durban. The conditions on the morning were warm, with the playing of the national anthem and Chariots of Fire, the gun went off at 5.30am for the start.
Many athletes underestimating the up run started too quickly and paid the price in the second half. The first 37km of the up run are brutal, with some huge climbs including Cowies Hill, Fields Hill and Bothas Hill not forgetting about Drummond. The second half of the race is much more forgiving but with some big climbs at Inchanga, Ashburton and Polly Shorts.
As the day progressed, temperatures began to climb and runners began to suffer from dehydration and cramps along the route. As always the crowd along the route ensured a carnival atmosphere, which gave the thousands of athletes support.
As the novices discovered, Comrades only begins at the 60km mark. The real pain and mind games start at Camperdown with 24km to go, with the run through Harrison Flats and the climb up Ashburton, with the final monster big Polly with 7.5km to the finish. After this comes the great relief and achievement that only a small percentage of individuals can claim as a victory.
Karen Sobrino had a great up run with a personal best of 7.44.23, finishing 23rd woman home. Karen had a great run but battled up Polly Shorts, losing some time before finishing the race. Karen is an athlete to watch in next year’s down run as she looks for a top 10 finish in the women’s race. Karen lives and trains in Switzerland, but often comes back to Amanzimtoti to visit her mom, Jean Reece and to run the Comrades Marathon, Sani Stagger and Illovo Christmas run. She is also an ex-pupil of Amanzimtoti High School.
Congratulation to Amanzimtoti AC member Gary Dann on achieving his permanent green number. He has now joined the exclusive Comrades green number club.
For the many members who did not make the cut-off time or stopped due to injury, remember that you gave Comrades your best shot. Next year is another opportunity to tackle the down run. Coach Cecil Clarke’s training programme will start in November 2015 for Comrades 2016.
Important dates
The Comrades aches and pain party is on Saturday at 11am at the clubhouse. It is a bring and braai, with prize-giving set to start at 11am.
TOTI Athletics Club Comrades Marathon results:
- Jabulani Amos Shishani 7.31.24,
- Karen Sobrino 7.44.26,
- Harvey Sindane 8.02.14,
- Chris Stange 8.10.14,
- Mark Mccalgan 8.36.25,
- Bongani Mkhize 8.46.43,
- Richard Leech 8.49.33,
- Barnabas Mthembeni Mlanduli 9.09.18,
- Desmond James Venter 9.31.41,
- Steven Yelseth 9.44.13,
- Robert Gcaba 9.49.28,
- Raymond Hair 9.55.37,
- Shabeer Razak 10.12.20,
- Mdu Vilikazi 10.28.23,
- Musawenkosi Ndlovu 10.28.25,
- Stoki Dlamini 10.28.54,
- Thembinkosi Mdanda 10.31.49,
- Thobani Mntungwa, 10.35.47,
- Catherine Carr 10.41.17,
- Shaun Carr 10.50.23,
- Marco Coetsee 10.51.46,
- Benton Rathbone 11.03.32,
- Steven Msomi 11.06.07,
- Ralph Schubach 11.06.24,
- Julie Yelseth 11.10.32,
- Isaac Khoza 11.24.29,
- Mike Phillips 11.35.30,
- Sipho Gift Gumede 11.38.27,
- Gary Dann 11.40.19,
- Dave Ozorio 11.41.59,
- Pieter Terblanche 11.45.27,
- Laurie Martin 11.46.00,
- Jacques Erasmus 11.48.13,
- Antionette Carr 11.48.17,
- Joseph Duma 11.51.07,
- Antoinette Wasserman 12.04.09,
- Mel Greyling 12.08.22,
- Nkosinathi Hlengwa 12.19.13,
- Godfrey Godfrey 12.26.08.
