Vlam Pieterse (65), a veteran marathon athlete, is currently in the high-care unit at Kloof Hospital after he was severely assaulted by a gang of robbers, with his son 50m away, unaware of what was happening.

San Pieterse says her husband was home alone on their smallholding in Melodie in Hartebeespoort. It is suspected that he was overpowered by three armed men at around 13:30 on Sunday.

“They tied him up with yarn. He was severely assaulted by robbers who tried to force him to open the safe. He was repeatedly hit and kicked over his whole body. I think they left him behind for dead,” Pieterse says.

She says robbers ransacked the house. They eventually fled with a television set, music system, her husband’s wallet and cellphone.

Pieterse says they suspect that her husband lost consciousness. He only managed to reach his son’s house, about 50m from theirs, at 15:00.

“My son and their family did not hear a thing. Robbers gained access to the property by lifting the gate of its track,” Pieterse says.

She says her husband is in a lot of pain but that his condition is improving. His injuries include seven broken ribs and a back injury.

The police in Hartebeespoort are investigating a case of armed house robbery. The suspects are still at large.

The name Vlam Pieterse is legendary in ultramarathon circles. He competed in the Comrades 27 times and is well-known for ‘Vlam se Bus’, a pacesetters group, which he led at the marathons.

He is also a member of the Hartebeespoort Marathon Club.