Rabasotho SAPS sergeant conquers second Comrades Marathon
Despite twisting her ankle at the 34km mark, her rigorous training and mental fortitude pushed her to cross the finish line in 11 hours and 49 minutes.
Sergeant Ntambu Fungisani of Thembisa Rabasotho SAPS completed her second Comrades Marathon on June 8.
Having run her first in 2024, she returned this year determined to experience both the iconic up and down runs and to earn her coveted back-to-back medal.
“My goal was to finish and to get a back-to-back medal, which I did,” she said.
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Fungisani trains with remarkable discipline. She runs five days a week, typically covering 10 to 12 km each morning before work and reserves weekends for longer distances of up to 50 km.
“I love running when I’m tired; that’s when I truly feel my strength and capability. It’s during those moments that I forget everything else and just focus on the distance.”
Her training included a solo 50 km run, the longest she’s completed outside of a race.
She believes there’s no time to relax when it comes to Comrades preparation.
“Right after finishing the marathon, you start training for the next one. You can’t do this without a plan. I ran three 42 km marathons and two 50 km runs between January and the second week of May.
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Whether you have a coach or create your own schedule, a training plan is essential to succeed.”
Despite her thorough preparation, she faced a significant challenge during this year’s race.
“I was already wearing a knee support band because I’d injured myself during training in early May.
“At the 34 km mark, I twisted my ankle but decided to keep going. I know how to run through pain — I’ve done it before. At one point, I felt like giving up, but I managed to overcome that mental block and kept pushing.”
Despite the injury, she crossed the finish line in 11 hours and 49 minutes, a feat that reflects her grit and determination.
