KNOWN for his infectious smile, warm personality and popular nickname, Wilson ‘Bart’ Delani (46) has once again made his fans proud after completing his 10th Comrades Marathon.
Popularly known by locals, the Empangeni Rugby Football Club (ERFC) employee returned with his 10th bronze medal after an impressive 09.49 result.
‘It was tough, but I never stopped running the entire way,’ said Bart.
Growing up in Empangeni, Bart attended Ziophozonke High School and later Umthombokazulu before finding a job at the ERFC in 1991.
‘I arrived at the club to look for work after returning from Johannesburg. My 90s city hairstyle reminded everyone of Bart Simpson, which is where I got my nickname from.’
Bart soon married and had three daughters. His youngest, Tracy is currently at Empangeni High School.
Comrades
While working, Bart had picked up the habit of smoking and decided to come up with ways to quit.
‘I kept bubble gum in my pocket and every time I had the urge to smoke I would chew some gum,’ said Bart.
But that was not enough, so he resorted to running.
‘I would go for short runs and over time I would run further and further.’
Locals began noticing his improvement and encouraged him to join the Empangeni Athletic Club.
Soon Bart qualified for the Comrades Marathon and completed his first run in 2006 in under 11 hours.
With only silver on his mind, Bart will continue to run the Comrades Marathon until he receives his precious silver medal.
