Running on her own steam

Eunice Ntuli believes sport is the key to escaping illnesses and unlocking your full potential.

Which is why the 51-year-old Shayamoya resident is a long time Comrades runner, with 14 of these epic marathons under her belt.

To keep fit she runs to work in Sheffield on Tuesdays and Thursdays – a 20km round trip.

Then she trains on Wednesday and Friday mornings by running from Nkobongo to Umhlali and back for a quick 12km.

She said the 2015 Comrades Marathon was by far her most challenging event.

“I think it was because of the stress I had due to the passing away of my sister. When going to a race you need to be physically, mentally and emotionally fit,” said Ntuli, who is also the mother of two boys.

Eunice, who is a member of the Richards Bay Athletic Club finished the grueleing race in 10 hours, 59 minutes and 10 seconds.

Ntuli said the most challenging part of being a regular marathon runner was finding accommodation and buying a running kit.

Sometimes when a race starts in Pietermaritzburg, she sleeps on the field and in the morning she hopes to find a place to bath before the race.

“Another problem is when I suffer an injury. Due to financial constraints I cannot afford a doctor, so I just wait until the pain is gone and I assume I have recovered.”

Ntuli said she would like to see more township women taking up the sport.

“Trust me, the long queues at the clinics will become shorter if more people start to exercise more,” she said.