Friends cross first Comrades finish line together

Best friends Ronel Oosthuizen and Germien le Clus shared an unforgettable experience when they completed their first Comrades Marathon together on June 14.

The pair took on the iconic race from Durban City Hall to the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Race Course in Pietermaritzburg, crossing the finish line side by side after months of preparation and sacrifice.

Although they embarked on the journey together, each had their own personal reasons for taking on the challenge.

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Le Clus said that after deciding to run the Comrades Marathon, she joined a coach and running group, Runbelievable.

It was there that she met Oosthuizen and, before long, the two became not only training partners but also best friends.

According to Oosthuizen, the pair have covered approximately 2 400km together since July 2025.

Spending countless hours training side by side forged a close bond and gave them an instinctive understanding of one another.

“During a run, we can read one another without saying a word,” said Oosthuizen.

“For me, the Comrades Marathon was never only about crossing a finish line. It was about proving to myself that I could commit to a long-term goal, remain disciplined and trust the process.

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“As a working mother balancing family, studies and training, every kilometre represented sacrifice and perseverance. What made the journey truly special was sharing it with Germien.

“We started as running partners and finished as lifelong friends, making the experience far more meaningful than I could ever have imagined.”

The friends stayed together throughout the race, running at a pace that suited them both and drawing on the teamwork they had developed during training and previous marathons.

Completing the race was a significant personal achievement, but doing so together made the experience even more rewarding.

For both runners, the greatest challenge was not race day itself, but the 12 months of preparation leading up to it.

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Balancing demanding training schedules with work and family responsibilities required sacrifices not only from them, but also from their loved ones.

“Training for Comrades is truly a family commitment,” they agreed.

Le Clus said that as race day approached, the focus shifted from training to trusting their preparation.

“In the days leading up to Comrades, the challenge shifted to staying healthy, trusting our preparation and not doubting our strategy. During the race, we focused on sticking to our plan by starting very slowly and enjoying the experience.

“It is surprisingly difficult to hold back when you are feeling strong, fresh and excited.”

A few weeks before the marathon, Oosthuizen faced an additional obstacle when she suffered a calf injury and feared she might not make it to the start line.

“After training approximately 2 400km over the year, the thought of not running was devastating. I had to focus on recovery, trust the advice of my medical team and believe that the training was already in the bank.

“That experience taught me that Comrades is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one.”

One of the most emotional moments came at the start of the race.

“Standing at the start with your best friend while Chariots of Fire played brought tears to our eyes. It was an overwhelming and humbling moment,” they said.

Le Clus said another special memory was approaching the finish.

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“As we neared the finish, the route led us onto the grass. The moment my feet touched it, I felt an overwhelming sense of privilege to be part of this historic event, now in its 99th year.”

The support from Kempton Road Runners (KRR) also played a significant role in their experience.

As they approached the club’s support tents, they were greeted by a sea of bright pink and purple, with volunteers offering encouragement, refreshments and assistance.

The support crews checked on runners’ well-being, helped with fuelling and minor medical needs, and provided a welcome boost of motivation.

For Oosthuizen and Le Clus, KRR stood out not only because of its vibrant colours, but because of the enthusiasm, encouragement and sense of community displayed throughout the race.

“Their presence reminded us that we were never running alone,” they said.

For Oosthuizen, the moment she stepped onto the grass at the finish line and heard the crowds cheering will remain with her forever.

“After a year of early mornings, sacrifices and overcoming injury concerns, crossing that finish line felt like a celebration of friendship, resilience and gratitude.

“The Comrades Marathon is so much bigger than a race – it becomes part of who you are. Without a doubt, I will be back next year to earn my back-to-back medal.”