Riaan Strydom’s most exciting moment in his Comrades Marathon debut in 2014 was hearing the deafening cheers from the crowd as he made his way to the finish line inside Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium.

Though he wasn’t alone on the finishing straight and the cheers weren’t reserved for him alone, Strydom, clad in the colours of Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC), was in his own zone and imagined the crowd giving him a standing ovation as he crossed the line to finish the down run, won by Bongmusa Mthembu, in 11:20:17 to earn a Vic Clapham Medal.

“The best experience for me in 2014 was when I came into that stadium. It felt like everybody was cheering for me, even though they were cheering for everyone. It felt amazing,” he said.

That was the last time the Westdene resident toed the line at the Ultimate Human Race and now, 12 years after that fulfilling experience, the 49-year-old will once again line up with thousands of runners on June 14 outside Durban City Hall.

“Unfortunately, it’s not a back-to-back. I’m almost sure that I’m ready, but you won’t know until that day. I’m very excited to do my second one. I must say that Benoni Harriers is a dynamic club and really welcoming.

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“I’m excited. I’m going to fly down and meet up with my dad, who stays in Ballito. I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with him. I haven’t seen him in ages. The Comrades is going to bring us together again before I hit the road for that 85km,” said Strydom.

Strydom is part of an 11-member Benoni Harriers contingent that received a spirited send-off during a breakfast gathering at Chalk Craft Eatery in Lakefield on May 31.

Leading the contingent are double Green Number recipients Kishore Magan, who has completed 23 Comrades Marathons, and Armstrong Khoza, a veteran of 21. Others in the team are Amelda Holt, who will be making her seventh attempt, and Sonwabile Mkhona, who is chasing a back-to-back medal.

Despite a tough build-up due to injuries and illness, Holt, the first Harriers woman home in last year’s up run, is ready to give a good account of herself.

“I don’t think anyone is ever really ready, but I am. I’m going to take it one step at a time. With the support of my husband and daughter, I think I can do it,” she said.

Mkhona completed his debut Comrades in 09:53:38 and will approach the up run with caution.

“I haven’t run the up run before. I have prepared myself enough. I think I’m at 1,800 km in mileage. Let’s see what happens on race day,” he said.

Chairperson Ashvin Jivan wished the runners well as they prepared to tackle the 85.7km journey from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

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