Local runner ready for Comrades

Qhubeka Athletic Club runner Marionè de Beer will tick the Comrades Marathon off her bucket list when she makes her debut in the up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on June 9.

Although nerves are creeping in with just under two weeks before lining up next to thousands of participants at the Durban City Hall, De Beer said she’s fit and ready to tackle the 85.91km distance.

This is the shortest in the history of the race, being the 49th up-run and 97th edition of the ultimate human race.

“I’m 100% ready. I have put in the work at training. I hope I don’t sustain any injuries from now until race day,” she said.

She will be among 15 novices representing the Sunward Park-based club. Overall, a total of 73 runners will line up for the club in the race, with nine going for their back-to-back medals.

Hulikani Nyathi will earn his green number while cub chairperson, Benzi Tenza, will run his 18th Comrades. Peter Monyai will take part in his 17th race and Busisiwe Pakati will line up in the event for the 14th time.

The 30-year old was not an avid runner when she decided to enter the ultramarathon in November after seeing an article about the opening of entries on social media. But her journey has been in the making for years.

She was inspired by her father, who has completed the event a few times. So it’s always been her wish to take part in the race in his honour and to test her endurance.

“It’s an extraordinary race. I want to challenge myself and see if I can conquer it. I will be running in honour of my father, who was a Comrades runner.”

She laced up her running shoes and hit the road for the first time in December and began her Comrades training in January, with the help of Qhubeka AC chairperson and Coach, Benzi Tenza.

De Beer ran her Comrades qualifier in the TracN4 Elands Marathon on March 2, where she clocked 04:12:06 for an F seeding.

She then tested herself at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, taking part in the 56km on April 13 and was part of only 44 women who participated in the half-marathon the following day.

She completed the ultra-race in 05:57:44 and clocked 02:38:19 in the 21.1km.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying the race, vibe and meeting people from all over SA and the world. Consistency is key. I’m going to follow the plan and enjoy every minute of the race,” De Beer said.

Their Comrades send-off breakfast will be at News Cafè Boksburg on June 1 at 09:30.

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