Germiston Callies Harriers celebrate their marathon triumph

Three athletes from the Germiston Callies Harriers are celebrating their successful finishes at the Comrades Marathon.

Rasmus Swartz, James Vena, and Malefetswane Ramalebo completed the gruelling race with times of 10:54:25, 11:30:55, and 11:19:58, respectively, each taking home medals.

This year’s Comrades Marathon was an up-run, starting at Durban’s City Hall and concluding in Pietermaritzburg.

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Ramalebo, a Leondale resident originally from Soweto, found the competition more challenging than in previous years.

Vena and Ramalebo earned the copper Vic Clapham medals, awarded to runners who finish between eleven and twelve hours, while Swartz received a bronze medal.

Ramalebo’s running journey began at a young age, running from Deep Soweto to Baragwanath Hospital.

He also practised karate and soccer. In 1998, he ran his first race and finished third.

By 2000, he had taken part in his first Comrades Marathon and never looked back.

Joining Germiston Callies in 2003, Ramalebo has since competed under their colours.

A firefighter with years of experience operating fire engines and ambulances, Ramalebo used the time between shifts to prepare for races.

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“This year, I enjoyed running the race and had the opportunity to talk and mingle with veterans. We moved at our own speed, pausing when necessary.

“We exchanged advice, and since I work well in a team, I felt at ease running the race,” he said.

Ramalebo also competes in the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon and other races.

Though not a charity runner yet, he has participated in charity races and hopes to adopt a charitable organisation in the future.

Having attended law school for a year before pursuing a firefighting career, Ramalebo started working at Jabulani Fire Station’s Civil Defense Department.

He spent eleven years at Orange Farm as a firefighter before moving to Braamfontein in 2005, where he currently serves as a fire safety officer.

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Ramalebo has been in the force for 32 years.

“During breaks, I used to train at the nearest stadium in Orange Farm. I also competed for my country in karate, tug of war, and sprinting at the 1998 World Firefighters Games in Durban.

“I also participated in the Intermunicipality Games and the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG).

“Karate is my first love in all sports; it brought me out of the streets and helped shape the person I am today,” Ramalebo said.

Ramalebo is already looking forward to the next Comrades Marathon and other upcoming races such as the Dawn 2 Dusk race and the Back Yard Ultra-Last Man Standing.