GROWING up along the Comrades Marathon route and having a legend for a mother, who has been in the top 10 eight times, fuelled Janie Grundling to also take part in the Ultimate Human Race.
In 2022, the Kloof resident received a Gold Medal. With 8km to the finish line, Grundling was in 12th position but managed to overtake four ladies, finishing in eighth position.
Speaking about her mother, Sanet Beukes, Grundling beams with pride and says, “My mother is a legend.”
Beukes has run 14 Comrades Marathons, coming fourth four times and in the top 10 eight times. In 1994, she was the first South African woman home.
“Before running the marathon, my mother never really ran – she was a mother of four children. She grew up in a farm in Northern KwaZulu-Natal and moved to Westville with my father after we were born. She watched it on television and said, ‘If they can do it, I can also do it.’
The day after that Comrades, she started training. She started by walking 300m every day before running. On her first attempt, she finished in 7 hours and 34 minutes and missed getting a silver medal by four minutes,” said a proud Grundling.
Grundling and Beukes are the only South African mother and daughter who have both won gold medals in the Comrades Marathon.
Also read: Comrades runner – now seconder – shares tips ahead of this year’s marathon
She ran her first race in 2012 which was her mother’s last race.
Grundling comes from a family of runners as her father also ran the Comrades Marathon three times.
“My mother also ran her first one with my dad who was running his last. My dad also did very well.”
Grundling also spoke about her grandfather who also took up running at the age of 65.
“He was a farmer who smoked his pipe – he quit smoking and started training. At the age of 69, he ran his first Comrades. He ran it seven times and was once the oldest participant.”
She said this really goes to show that anyone can do it. “Everything is possible when you put your mind to it.”
Grundling is a former Gelofte Skool learner, and she is a wife and mother of three. The 44-year-old said she started doing road running about 20 years ago.
Recalling her top-eight finish in 2022, Grundling said she finished in 6 hours 59 minutes. Last year, she did not run due to a foot injury but was able to be involved by supporting and assisting runners on the side of the road.
Also read: Highway’s selfless runner wins top award
She said she trains six times a week and participates in other races. “I recently ran the Two Oceans Marathon, and I take part in other small races, including the SPAR Ladies race.”
Running for the Phantane Athletics Club this year, Grundling said she is looking forward to this year’s race as it is an Up Run which was last held in 2019.
“It will be a very interesting one – I must say, we are in for an exciting day. The Up Run is completely different from a Down Run – you have to be strong emotionally and physically.”
Her goal this year is to better her last finishing time.
“Getting to the finish is the best feeling ever, but if you get onto that start line, I consider you a winner.
“I truly believe anyone can take part in this race. At the start line, everyone is equal; it is a humbling experience and definitely the ultimate human race.”
She added that it is advisable to rest a few weeks after the race so you can really recover.
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