ON Friday, words of encouragement from management and colleagues were shared to two Pinetown SAPS constables who will take on the renowned Comrades Marathon on Sunday (June 14).

Detectives constables Kwanda Ngcobo and Siyabonga Sithole will take part in the 99th Comrades Marathon, an up run edition of the Ultimate Human Race.

This will be Sithole’s second race, and with a bronze medal from last year, he has set his sights on the Bill Rowan medal.

Sithole said ever since he took to the track while at the SAPS training college he has never looked back and is pushed to stay active in the sport because it keeps him healthy and fit.

“That helps in many ways,” said Sithole, who added that in preparing for this year’s race, he took on the challenge of training on uphill terrains.

He kept a close and careful watch over his diet, too, he said, cutting out junk, greasy food, a loved delicacy that is braai meat, and sticking to copious amounts of vegetables and fruits.

In the week leading to the race, he added, he ate carbohydrates to boost his energy levels.

“This is a nice sport because you do not really compete with others but with yourself, so I would really encourage more of my colleagues to join us, also because it has a positive impact on our work performance,” said Sithole.

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Sithole’s protégé, Ngcobo, said his mentor had dispelled his doubts while they were training and that is how he was encouraged to run in the race.

Ngcobo, a first time runner, said his main goal is to start and finish and hopefully within 12 hours.

Preparing for the race, Ngcobo said he cut out sugar and took part in several marathons as a way of training.

“I had days for hill work and others for working on my strength,” said Ngcobo, who trains with the social runners club Level Up based in Hillcrest.

Ngcobo’s daily route either to work or on a social call, is a portion of the marathon, and that served as a source of encouragement for the constable.

“Seeing people living with disabilities also taking part in the race really encouraged me as well. I wish all police officers would take part in the Comrades because our work is physically demanding and this has a positive impact on fitness,” said Ngcobo.

The pair is part of the SAPS KZN athletic club and has collected numerous medals during their individual times as runners.

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