Four runners from Vryheid Athletics Club travelled to Nelspruit in November to take on the well-known Kaapsehoop Marathon, one of the country’s most popular Comrades qualifiers. The group arrived before sunrise and lined up in the chilly mountain air, all with the same goal in mind: qualifying for next year’s Comrades.

A route known for speed and pain

Kaapsehoop has a reputation for fast times because of its long downhill sections, although the steep descent takes a toll on runners’ knees and hips. As the morning heats up, the route turns into a grind, with a series of climbs leading into Mbombela. The final stretch tests anyone who went out too fast in the early kilometres.

Personal bests and tough moments

For Simonè Potgieter, the race was her very first marathon. She crossed the line in five hours, securing her qualifying time. Nicole Landman, who ran the same race last year, knocked an impressive 47 minutes off her previous effort and finished in 4:53, setting a new personal best. Elizma Nortjie also qualified, coming home in 4:38. Natasha Badenhorst was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury along the route.

Pride for Vryheid Athletics Club

The club said the runners ‘carried Vryheid’s flag high at Mbombela Stadium’, praising their determination and results.

A Durban qualifier for du Toit

On Sunday, club member PJ du Toit opted for the coastal Bluff Ruff n Tuff Marathon in Durban. He finished to cheers from family and supporters, with the announcer welcoming the Vryheid runner across the line. Du Toit also set a personal best, completing the race in 3:49 and earning his Comrades 2026 qualifier.

Building toward Comrades 2026

Vryheid Athletics Club currently has 18 members entered for Comrades 2026. All will need to secure their qualifiers before the May deadline, and training is expected to step up over the next few months as runners aim to finish a marathon under the five-hour cut-off time.

Upcoming club events

Members are reminded of the club’s Christmas Wimpy Coffee Run on Saturday, December 6. The run starts at 05:00 from the Wimpy at the Junction and returns by 07:00 for a traditional Wimpy coffee to close off the 2025 running year. Weekly runs from the BP garage at 05:00 will continue through the festive season, although runners are asked to bring their own water.

December birthdays

VAC celebrates the following members’ birthdays this month: December 3 – Buyisiwe Kunene; December 4 – Barbara Dicks; December 7 – Jaco Booysen; December 16 – Nicole Landman; December 17 – Fanyana Ndzukula; December 18 – Paula Small; and December 29 – Amanda Vergottini.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.