Three-hundred-and-twenty Lowvelders will be among the 20 600 athletes who tackle the 97th Comrades Marathon on Sunday June 9.

Included in the over 300 local runners will be five members of the Greeff family.

The 2024 ultramarathon will be run over 85.91km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

The City of Mbombela Marathon Club has the biggest Lowveld contingent at Comrades 2024 – 77 athletes.

Bella’s Athletics Club will have 67 athletes in the race. Nelspruit Marathon Club will have a team of 27 members tackling the up run.

The other Lowveld clubs that will take part are Barberton Mines, Born to Win, Bush Athletics, Gijima Nkomazi, Legogote Villagers, Long Tom, Ngodwana, LowMed,

Transformer, Run/Walk for Life, Uniwisp, Correctional Services, SANDF, Kruger Park and Great East.

Johannes Nyalunga and Calvin Khoza of Legogote Villagers will be running their 30th Comrades marathons.

Patrick Ntimane will tackle the road from Durban to Pietermaritzburg to earn his double green number – 20 Comrades finishes.

Ashleigh Betteridge will be aiming for his green number by completing his 10th Comrades.

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Mark (father), Kathleen (mother) and Daniel, Matthew and Joshua Greeff (sons) will be tackling the 2024 Comrades Marathon for a good cause.

“Comrades 2024 is going to be a big deal for the Greeff family of five. I will be running my 11th Comrades, Kathleen her fifth, Daniel his second, while Matthew and Joshua will be running their first Comrades. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, we will be raising funds for the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa [CHOC],” said Mark.

“This endeavour requires dedication from all of us, but it pales in comparison to the difficulties faced by those diagnosed with cancer. Our family has first-hand experience with the fear, pain and uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis, as Kathleen and my sister Mandy are both breast cancer survivors.

“We are passionate about raising awareness and funds to ensure children receive the support and life-saving care they need. We are grateful for the blessings in our lives and have learnt about the power of hope, resilience and determination. Please join us in supporting this worthy cause, as we strive to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.”

Mark, Daniel, Matthew and Joshua will run in the colours of Nedbank LVCC and Kathleen for Run/Walk for Life.

To donate the the Greeff family’s cause, click on: https://tinyurl.com/3yt2p6mm

The Lowveld’s Comrades legends

In 1982, Johan Jonker finished the Comrades 11th in 5:58.

Two years later, in 1984, Chris Reyneke became the first local runner to be placed in the top 10. Running in the colours of Nelspruit Marathon Club, Reyneke ran a brilliant 5:34, finishing third and receiving a gold medal.

Nine years later, in 1993, Rudi du Plessis, running in the colours of Ngodwana, finished sixth in 5:50 and won a gold medal.

Two years later, Sipho Masango from Msauli also finished sixth in 05:47:00 and received a gold medal.

It would take another 10 years before a local athlete managed to finish in sub six hours.

In 2005, Sipho Ngomane, a local athlete but running for Harmony Gold, won the Comrades in 5:27.

Two years later, Samuel Makamu, in the colours of Nelspruit Marathon Club, finished 21st in 5:59.

More than 11 years later, Professor Mthethwa of Nedbank LVCC also ran a sub six hours, finishing in 5:57.