Ska Fela Moya – never give up

That is one golden rule of the Comrades Marathon that will test the limits of runners this coming Sunday, 14 June in an 87.7 kilometre uprun from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

One of Potchefstroom’s most well-known athletics clubs, Berts Bricks, will see a contingent of 26 runners taking part in this prestigious ultra-marathon.

These athletes range from novices to seasoned Comrades veterans. Berts Bricks Athletics Club chairperson, Reece Alberts as well as Martin Hennelly and Jasper van Zyl will aim to reach the special milestone of a Green Number. This means that they will receive their Comrades number for life after completing 10 Comrades marathons.

“The general feeling is one of excitement and respect for the challenge that lies ahead. After all, the Big Five await everyone – Fields Hill, Botha’s Hill, Inchanga, Polly Shortts, and Cowies Hill. If those climbs do not command respect, Polly Shortts will usually provide the final reminder of why the Comrades Marathon has earned its formidable reputation,” stated Johnny Jansen van Rensburg, clubhouse manager of Berts Bricks Athletics Club.

Well known South African men’s marathon record holder, Elroy Gelant, also inspired the athletes ahead of the Comrades during their annual dinner.

“His message was simple but powerful. He explained that a BMW may have one of the best engines on the road, but if you drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town without refuelling in Colesberg, you are not going to make it to the Mother City. The same applies to Comrades – you can train for months and have the best possible preparation, but if you do not provide your body with enough fuel on race day, you will not reach your full potential. It was a message that resonated with many of the athletes,” added Jansen van Rensburg.

“By this time next week, we hope to be sitting with medals around our necks, sore legs, a slight wobble in our walk, and a few great stories to tell.”

Berts Bricks Comrades 2026 athletes

Amare Abebe, Biance Smit, Bruno Letarte, Christo Schoeman, Christoff
Coetzee, Elton Rennie, Hendrik Naude, Jaco Marais, Jan-Rudolph Buhrmann, Jasper
van Zyl, Johan Bibbey, Johnny de Lange, Johnny Jansen van Rensburg, Joline
Bibbey, Karlé Bell, Lenthea Kamffer, Martin Hennelly, Mohammed Afzal Carrim, Reece
Alberts, Rhea Koch, Risimati Hobyane, Roelie Botha, Siya Matoti, Theo Malan, Tiaan
Pieterse and Zander Botha.