Ready for the Comrades

It is the time of the year again when the fittest and bravest don their well worn running shoes to heed the call of what is widely known as the “ultimate human race”.

More than 70 runners from the Dolphin Coast Striders (DSC) and Tongaat Panthers Athletic Club (TPAC) will be lining up at the start of this year’s Comrades Marathon in Pietermaritzburg. The 89th edition of the iconic Comrades will see 18 000 determined runners take to the streets in front of the Pietermaritzburg City hall, all hoping to achieve their personal goals as they make their way down the 89 km course to Durban on June 1.

Fifty one runners from the Ballito based Dolphin Coast Striders (DCS) and 26 from the Tongaat Panthers Athletic Club (TPAC) will be amongst those taking up the challenge of the 93-year-old race.

Both clubs held their annual chairman’s run last weekend, which is a short, fun filled last “practise run” that traditionally takes place a week before to build camaraderie among the participants.

A veteran of three Comrades and again among the starters, DSC chairman, Gary Henwood-Fox advised runners not to break their routine on the day.

“Don’t do anything different to what you have done while training and remember to come prepared for the biting cold at the start,” he said.

The same sentiment was shared by TPAC chairman Lajeeth Maharaj.

“Runners should not compete with others in front or behind them, but just run to their own potential”, said Maharaj.

As the big day now looms large Henwood-Fox had a final word of caution for runners.

“With a refreshment stop every 3km or so over the 90km race, don’t feel obliged to eat and drink at every table or you might end up being heavier than what you started!”.