DEMS staff take on the Comrades
A young female firefighter, Enie Molatseli, was top of the class
EKURHULENI Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) is proud of its nine staff members who participated in the annual Comrades Marathon.
Eight of them managed to finish the race.
A young female firefighter, Enie Molatseli, was top of the class as she finished before all her colleagues. She managed to clock 7:36, just six minutes outside the silver medal cut-off.
She was running her fifth race and every time her overall time has improved.
Three of the runners were novices, while two others ran for the second time. Molatseli and Darius Ndlamlendze ran their fifth Comrades while the veteran runner, Michael van der Mescht, ran his ninth race. Unfortunately, he could not finish the race due to cramps with 30km to go.
Passion, roles and responsibilities towards service delivery sometimes contribute to below par preparations. “Ultra-marathons need focus, enough preparatory time, physical fitness, agility and mental strength as well,” said Willem Weideman, senior district manager and one of the novices.
In general, the team would like to see more firefighters participating in ultra-marathons, not only the Comrades. “I will be happy to see other female runners from the emergency services participating as well,” said Molatseli.
