Local runners conquer the Comrades

• Sandile Mthembu

Age category: 40-49 years
Finishing time: 10:34:02
Q: What inspired you to take on the challenge of the Comrades Marathon this year?
A: This was my 4th Comrades Marathon. It’s always about challenging your physical and mental ability and testing your strength and dedication to everything that you do in life. As a coach, I always try to set a good example for all my athletes that with less time and limited resources, you can still start and finish anything in life without making excuses.
Q: How did you prepare physically and mentally for this year’s race?
A: To me it’s more mental than physical, as I have less time to train due to my coaching commitments. After the end of the track and field season, I focus on getting my mileage to 60 km by doing mid tempos, hill repeats, intervals, and one long run per week, and then I prepare my mind to take the last 30 km by instilling a lot of positive thought in my mind, thinking of all those who support my initiative.
Q: What was the most memorable or emotional moment during the race for you?
A: The last 5km was a true reflection of how tough Comrades are. I had to make a decision of being safe and finishing, or trying to push and risking physical challenges. I said to myself, “I’ve had enough time; let me relax and walk until the finish, because safety is better than being sorry.”
Q: How did it feel crossing the finish line, and what does this achievement mean to you?
A: No matter how many comrades you have finished, all comrades’ marathons come with different challenges. Seeing yourself in the crossing gives you unmeasurable joy—that feeling of ‘I made it through against all odds’.
Q: What advice would you give to someone in Newcastle who is considering running the Comrades next year?
A: First, find a reason to challenge yourself. It might be to improve your discipline or dedication in everything you do in life. Make sure you prepare enough in terms of training; your training should be well balanced in speed, endurance, and strength. Following a structured program and good guidance always makes things easy. Make sure you get a good group of runners that will help and support you to train better and pick you up when you are down.

• Jo Classen

Age category: Senior
Finishing time: 09:48:25
Q: What inspired you to take on the challenge of the Comrades Marathon this year?
A: Having a group of friends running and training together helps anybody to get inspired to do the Comrades over and over again. Running truly brings people together. My aim is to run 10 Comrades so that I can get my green number. This year was my 5th, so I have five more to go!
Q: How did you prepare physically and mentally for this year’s race?
A: My 2025 Comrades was very interesting and amazing, and my body was in good shape. All the early morning runs and training with friends made every moment count. You can train your body as much as you can, but you have to have a strong mindset, because that is what helps you keep going after that 60 km mark.
Q: What was the most memorable or emotional moment during the race for you?
A: My most memorable moment was standing at the start line next to thousands of runners singing the national anthem and listening to Chariots of Fire while waiting for the gun to go off. My most emotional moment was reaching that finishing line and getting that medal. You want to cry and laugh all at the same time.
Q: How did it feel crossing the finish line, and what does this achievement mean to you?
A: The feeling of crossing that finishing line is such a huge relief; it’s everything you have worked so hard for. We all have some other goal, but if you achieve that goal, then you aim to at least just finish the race.
Q: What advice would you give to someone in Newcastle who is considering running the Comrades next year?
A: All I can say is train hard and believe in yourself! Doing the Comrades is truly an achievement for anybody. Lining up at the starting line and not finishing is also okay; you were there, and you tried your best, and you made a difference in your life.

• Siboniso Kubheka

Age category: 40-49 years
Finishing time: 07:57:00
Q: What inspired you to take on the challenge of the Comrades Marathon this year?
A: I was inspired by family and friends who have had the chance to run Comrades more than 10 times.
Q: How did you prepare physically and mentally for this year’s race?
A: Physically I had to do a lot of long runs, that being 21 km up to 60 km. I joined running groups which usually have a lot of experienced runners, and that helps because the more runners there are, the easier it is for me to run longer distances without feeling lonely and bored. Mentally I prepared by doing solo runs and hyping up myself when I was out on the road running distances like 50 km and 60 km around Signal Hill, where there are lots of hills.
Q: What was the most memorable or emotional moment during the race for you?
A: The most memorable moment for me was around the 15 km after comrades had started; I felt very bad side stitches, and that’s where I knew that I might have to change my race plan, which was to run a time below 7 hrs 12 mins. I had hope that the pain would go away and I would feel better, but instead the pain worsened, and I changed my race plan and ran just to complete the race regardless of the time it would take to do so. “Fortunately I completed the race in 7 hrs 57 mins.
Q: How did it feel crossing the finish line, and what does this achievement mean to you?
A: I was very thankful and grateful to have crossed the finish line because at some point during the race I thought of bailing out, but then giving up is never an option, especially if you have kids, family and friends who look up to you and are always cheering you on.
Q: What advice would you give to someone in Newcastle who is considering running the Comrades next year?
A: My advice to someone in Newcastle who is considering running Comrades next year would be: It’s doable; everyone can do it if they just put their mind to it. Join a running group; we have quite a few around Newcastle, and there’s one group that starts from Henry’s SuperSpar on Sundays around 6am-7am depending on the season. There are a lot of experienced runners who share information and knowledge about Comrades and running in general. Lastly, I’d say that one does not need to be a fast runner to complete Comrades, but all you need is grit.

• Mandla Sibeko

Age category: 50-59 years
Finishing time: 08:42:22
Q: What inspired you to take on the challenge of the Comrades Marathon this year?
A: 2023 was my first comrade, and it was a down run, so I was a little bit struggling. This time I wanted to prove if the same thing was going to happen or not.
Q: How did you prepare physically and mentally for this year’s race?
A: My preparation for this went well; I was super fit, had good focus and was disciplined.
Q: What was the most memorable or emotional moment during the race for you?
A: Normally after the 65 km mark, I used to feel tired, but this time I felt like I just started the race. I was so emotional.
Q: How did it feel crossing the finish line, and what does this achievement mean to you?
A: When crossing the finish line, I was like a dream come true with my fastest time ever achieved.
Q: What advice would you give to someone in Newcastle who is considering running the Comrades next year?
A: If someone is planning to take part next year, they may start preparing now; a comrade only needs enough time to prepare for running it. Pack the mileage in your muscles, and then you’re going to run the Comrade Marathon smoothly.
“I also want to thank Magenta Security for sponsoring me with running shoes and paying my travel fees.”

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