Springs Striders celebrate their marathon runners

The Springs Striders Athletics Club hosted an aches and pains party in honour of their marathon runners on Saturday.

Friends and families of the athletes attended the party, which was held in celebration of the Comrades Marathon runners. Jackie Seddon was the MC for the evening.

Clement Westley, who was handing out the awards, mentioned members choosing to run the highly anticipated marathon is increasing every year.

“We have novices joining us every year, and it is a good thing; we need them to join so the movement continues.”

He said the club aims to gather under shared interests for all individuals.

“This is a celebration of being healthy and doing what we love.”

He thanked everyone who supported them as they prepared for and ran the race.

“We hope to see you for next year’s race.”

Marathon runners received mugs with their time stamps on them to mark their achievements.

They also gave awards to celebrate the special achievements attained during the marathon.

David Smith assisted Clement with the handing out of the trophies.

Category winners are:

• King of Comrades (silver, 7 hours 22 minutes)
• Dinekhi Buti
• Queen of Comrades
• Charmaine Botha

First senior lady

• Carla Strauss
• First senior male
• Darryn Ferguson

First veteran male

• Dinekhi Buti

First veteran lady

• Charmaine Botha

First master lady

• Annetjie Nel (her 21st marathon)

First master male

• Phumlani Masondo

First grandmaster lady

• Karin Smith
• Green number
• Ignatius Molawa (for running his 10th Comrades)
• Phumlani Masondo (for running his 11th Comrades)

Back-to-back runners

• Melinda du Plessis (up run is better than down run)
• Nico de Nysschen
• Desmond Beasley
• Ravi Moodley
• Novice runners
• Wimpie Schoultz
• Darryn Ferguson
• Stone last award
• Ravi Moodley (for coming in last in the marathon)