#WomensMonth: Robyn relishing another Comrades challenge

Lining up at the start of the Comrades Marathon with your spouse, with Shosholoza blasting on the loudspeaker, followed by a rendition of the national anthem and the chariots of fire, running side by side for 90km and crossing the finish line hand in hand, is an experience like no other.

This is according to mom, wife and teacher, Robyn Daniel whose Comrades story is a tale creatives can listen to and envisage as a Hollywood blockbuster and box office success.

She ran her first Comrades in 2012 with her husband Marc by her side, encouraging her to take it one stride at a time. She has run in six Comrades races, completing five.

In 2016 she undertook the challenge while seven weeks pregnant. Although she couldn’t finish, she displayed sheer strength to run 75km, proving that women are strong and resilient to tackle difficult tasks even when vulnerable.

In 2019 when Marc ran his tenth Comrades Marathon, the couple stood together at the start, ran side by side for the entire up run and crossed the finish line in Pietermaritzburg together.

“It was the best Comrades I’ve run. We managed to stay together for the entire race, finishing in 09:53. We were very lucky because we had our family there supporting us,” she said proudly.

Robyn, a teacher at Ashton International College, told the paper the ultimate human race has always been a part of her life.

“Comrades had been part of my life when I was much younger. When Marc said he wanted to run, it was just a matter of time before I joined him.”

Also Read: Benoni Northerns Athletic Club’s 2018 Comrades Aches and Pains party

Being alone for the first half of the year when Marc was always out training compelled her to put on her running shoes and join him.

“I started running with Benoni Northerns after my husband had run two Comrades. We weren’t married at the time and didn’t have children to keep me busy. I joined Northerns so I could spend more time with him.”

The mother of two believes women empowerment should start with women.

“Being a woman means empowering each other by lifting each other, supporting each other as well as anyone who needs support or guidance.”

She has inspired a lot of people, including Ashton International College caretaker, Albert Mthuki, who will run his first Comrades Marathon this year. But who inspires her?

“My husband inspires me daily with his hard work and devotion to our family.

“My close friends inspire me with their determination to get through anything that is thrown in their way. The previous principal of Ashton, Gertie Testa, inspires me with her permanent drive of being kind to one another.

“Albert inspires me every day with his positive attitude and the way he treats any person, be it a student, visitor, staff member or parent at Ashton. He is just an all-around great guy.

“And lastly, my 92-year-old grandmother. She has always been a role model to me, choosing kindness and love and nurturing. If I can be half the woman she has been in her 92 years of life, I will consider myself a good human.”

Also Read: Benoni club completes the 90km Comrades Marathon