#Comrades2023: BAC athletes receive special send-off

The Boksburg Athletics Club (BAC) held a breakfast for its members as part of the members’ send-off to the 2023 Comrades Marathon, to be held on June 11, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (87.7km).

Of the just over 18 000 qualifiers in this year’s Comrades, 68 of them are from the BAC, and they intend to finish the race.

BAC’s Ian Manchest and Johan Burger are going for their green numbers, while Manfred Mukombo, Kevin Porobich, Corne Strydom, Johan Meyer, Justin Dunn and Paul Kasu are aiming for their back-to-back medals. The club has 15 green number holders.

Manchest said he is fully prepared for the task ahead, and, as part of his training, he intends to finish about 2 000km at least three days before the actual event.

Manchest started competing in the mid-80s when he first joined the club.

“My first Comrades was in 1992, but I couldn’t finish because I was not well-prepared at the time,” he said.

This didn’t diminish Manchest’s enthusiasm. He went back to participate in the ultimate human race 23 years later and managed to finish it for the first time.

“I have since then become addicted to the race. Apart from the health benefits like keeping fit, this sport has been a uniting factor among diverse communities since the 90s.”

Burger, who started running in the Comrades in 2011, said he was also fully prepared for the race.

“My family is supportive and I always appreciate that. They give me the courage to keep going, and this was evident when my wife ran the Comrades with me in 2016 after my injury. Regardless of my injuries, she kept encouraging me to continue fighting until the finish line,” he explained.

Burger pointed out that the longest Comrades he participated in and managed to reach the finish was 91km in 2014.

He advised youngsters who are passionate about running to never give up but to keep on trying.

Delivering his speech at the send-off, Werner van der Berg shared a few tips on how runners can prepare themselves for the upcoming marathon.

“You must always encourage yourself, and keep on running because you never know what is at the end of the tunnel. Run with your heart, but do not forget to stay hydrated and well-trained.

“I wish you the best of luck, and let’s finish the marathon,” he said.

According to the club chairperson, Karen Bradshaw, the runners this year show much more dedication.

“We wish them all the luck, and hope they all complete the marathon safely,” she added.

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