Themba is running for gold
Themba Dube (55) has successfully completed his 24th Comrades Marathon this year.
This energetic Springsite who works at a Brakpan-based company in a laboratory, has achieved something not many people have.
His passion for running started at school when he was chosen for the athletics team.
Although he has tried to play soccer, he always preferred running as there was less risk of injury.
“I might not play any other sports, but when I am not training or running the Comrades, I enjoy relaxing in front of the TV watching my favourite soccer team, Morocco Swallows,” he said.
Although running the Comrades Marathon has been the highlight of his career for 24 years, he has taken part in many other races, including the Pick n Pay/Dis-Chem Challenge, the Loskop race and the Three-in-One, successfully completing them all with record times.
When he decided to run the Comrades for the first time in 1991, he had never run long distances and saw it as a challenge. He never imagined it would take him this far, and 2001 became the highlight of his career when he received his green number.
This milestone is achieved after running 10 consecutive Comrades Marathons.
Five years prior to that he ran his best time ever, finishing the race in six hours and 46 minutes.
“It was such an amazing achievement for me and these are the years I will cherish forever,” he smiled.
Themba, who has been married for more than 20 years and has two children, vows to continue running the Comrades until he is no longer fit to do it.
“I will run until I am 100 if I can, it is something I am passionate about and is an activity that keeps me young and healthy,” he says.
One thing anyone can learn from him is, if someone passionate about something, make it a reality and do it.
Themba hopes to run in his 25th Comrades Marathon next year.
