Bluff couple amped to take on second Comrades together

SIDE-by-side, hand-in-hand, and step-by-step, just like their marriage, a Bluff couple is ready to take on the world’s oldest ultra-marathon together in a few weeks time.

James Barry Munnik, 39, and his wife, Dominique, 35, will be participating in their second Comrades Marathon.

The world-famous almost 90km race, which will be in its 96th edition and the 48th ‘down run’, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 11.

This year, the race will be starting at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finishing at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

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Dominique, who runs a gym, said she started watching the Comrades as a little girl with her father.

“Over the years we would also speak about participating together, but he has knee problems so we weren’t able to. However, it was always at the back of my mind. It was 2019, when James and I went to support my cousin that I told him that I am going to run the Comrades the following year. It just so happened that it was also something he had wanted to do.

“In that same week we started to run and I even got some of the men that attend the gym to run with us and we trained together,” she said.

James, a workshop manager, said after finding out that they needed to be part of a running club, they joined The Bluff Athletic Club (BAC).

“We did our first qualifier in February 2020, it was a very emotional and proud moment for us. Unfortunately, a month later, the country went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic and everything came to a standstill. We didn’t know if we would ever get to participate in our first Comrades. But, we got to do it last year and it was an amazing experience,” he said.

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Dominique said while it was not an easy journey, she was grateful for the support they received.

“I couldn’t eat and was sucking ice cubes from Inchanga to the end. I ran with a cup of ice, and whenever I saw supporters with a cooler box I would ask them for ice. Everyone was friendly and supportive, and thankfully our Domssquad crew and BAC members were there to push us through that hard journey,” she said.

James said leading up to the Comrades, they do strength training and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions.

“We just love how great you feel after a good workout. You can have a bad day, but you know after a great gym session or run you feel amazing,” he said.

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The couple, who have two sons, said they encouraged people to take care of themselves.

“Life is not easy and people fall into depression. However, just 30 minutes of training equals one depression tablet. Training releases endorphins that makes you feel better,” said James.

Dominique added, “Furthermore, people often say life is busy and I agree, but you must make time for yourself, so that you are able to take care of your family and people around you. Always remember that you are your own limit, only you can push yourself.”

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