Wesley Roberts is chasing dreams at Fourways Road Runners

In athletics, few stories capture the spirit of determination quite like Wesley Roberts’s (38) inspiring journey, which transformed a primary school passion into a lifelong pursuit of excellence on the track.

It all began in the fifth grade when Roberts discovered a love for running and a remarkable talent.

Throughout high school, his prowess blossomed as he participated in cross country events, tackling the gruelling 8km races, and excelling in athletics in the 400m, 800m, and 1 500m.

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The accolades followed, including full colours for his achievements, numerous medals across various podium positions, and the distinguished title of Middle Distance Athlete of the Season in Standard 8 (Grade 10).

However, after graduating, Roberts’ running journey took a back seat while he navigated life in London for two years.

It wasn’t until 2006 that he began to find his stride again, participating sporadically in marathons and half-marathons while nursing a dream – to one day conquer the famous Comrades Marathon. Every year, he would rise early to watch the event, finding inspiration in its local significance and global presence.

The breakthrough moment arrived in 2016 when Wesley resolved to focus his efforts and prepare seriously for the 2017 Comrades.

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With determination and discipline, he kicked off his training, ultimately crossing the finish line in his first Comrades in a remarkable time of 08:51:01.

“It’s hard to explain just how challenging the race is but the reward of stepping onto the grass at the end is worth it 1 000 times over,” he said.

Since his first Comrade, Roberts has participated in the iconic race each year, save for the 2020 and 2021 events that were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With six starts and finishes under his belt, he proudly holds the Bill Rowan medal for completing the race in under nine hours. His sights are now set on crossing the finish line for his seventh run in 2025, with the ultimate goal of achieving 10 finishes to earn his green number, a coveted badge of honour among Comrades runners.

In addition to his Comrades achievements, Roberts tackled the Two Oceans 56km Ultra Marathon in 2018 and 2019, completing them in less than four and a half hours.

Roberts’s strong connection to the running community led him to join the Fourways Road Runners in 2019. At races, he admired the members’ camaraderie and in 2021, he took on the role of club captain, guiding the team through the challenges posed by the pandemic. The unwavering support and unity within the club flourished as members reached out to encourage one another.

“I feel incredibly honoured to serve the club and support our members in their running goals. The gratitude I receive for organising club runs and events is truly rewarding and I look forward to contributing for many more years.”

With dreams still on his bucket list, Roberts aspires to participate in an international marathon and eventually tackle a 100-mile race.

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