#Comrades2025: Northerns ready for ultimate human race
The club will be represented by over 180 runners.
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) athlete Nico Pretorius is excited and ready to run his 10th Comrades Marathon during the 49th down-run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday (June 8).
Along with William Nkosi and Kevin Williams, Pretorius will earn his green number when he crosses the line outside Durban’s People’s Park after a tough 89.98km slog from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
Speaking to the Benoni City Times after the BNAC’s Comrades send-off breakfast at Birchwood Hotel on June 1, he explained his preparation went accordingly and is looking forward to a successful run.
“I’m always excited. It’s the 10th one, but all of them are special. We’ll see how it goes,” he said.
After debuting in 2004, he has since earned five silvers, three Bill Rowans and a Vic Clapham medal. His best performance was in the last down-run in 2023 when he clocked a PB 06:53:50.
“I’m aiming to finish under seven hours. I’ve done 15 runs longer than 42km over the past 22 weeks. I’ve also done lots of speed and hill sessions. I’m aiming for a silver. We’ll see if we can pace it nicely and constantly and run the second half slightly faster,” said Pretorius.
De Bruin ready
Debutant Alison de Bruin said she is looking forward to her first ultimate human race. The top runner is part of the club’s 21 novices who are “fit and ready” to navigate their way through the tough and famous Big Five hills on their way to Durban.
After a successful season, which included a third-place finish at the Johnson Crane Marathon in January, a 03:04:38 personal best at the Elands Marathon, and a 04:34:49 time at the Two Oceans, De Bruin is aiming to finish under eight hours.
“I’m happy with the distance I’ve achieved. I wasn’t sure how much I would cover within the time frame. I’ve already done over 1 500km. I feel like I’m quite prepared. I feel strong and healthy,” she said.
“I’m aiming for a sub-eight. I will stick to 05:15min/km if I can. It’s my first one. I also won’t put myself under pressure but enjoy the day out.”
100% finish rate
The BNAC had 207 members who qualified for the race but will see a contingent of over 180 starters. Club chairperson Mark Dingle said the runners looked strong, and he hoped they would all finish the race.
“To have over 180 members all achieve and finish the Comrades would be an enormous achievement. I think the best we’ve achieved is about 95%. The guys look strong. If everyone runs the race smartly, paces well early on and don’t try to go out too quickly, we can get to the 100% rate,” said Dingle.
After achieving 10 silvers in the last down-run in 2023, Dingle said they have about seven runners, including himself, who are running for a silver, while they also have a strong group of ladies aiming for Bill Rowan medals.
“The goal for me is a silver. We’ve got guys like Shane McGregor, Elias Kope and Pretorius in great shape to run for silvers.
“Nadia Emslie is running extremely well. De Bruin has had a phenomenal season. We also have Stacy Henning and Alexis Westner. I think we’ll have a strong Bill Rowan run from our ladies.”
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