Local club wins the Veterans Ladies Team shield at Comrades

Pretoria-based club EasyEquities Born2Run from Pierre van Ryneveld brought results from last weekend’s 96th Comrades Marathon.

The 40+ veterans ladies team won the 75th Anniversary Shield, the second in three years that the club has won the shield.

The team, made up of Mitsie van der Westhuizen, Merle Rautenbach, Yvette Human and Cinette van der Ende finished in a cumulative time of 41 hours, one minute and 53 seconds.

Mitsie van der Westhuizen finished as the 43rd woman, and 19th in her category in a time of seven hours, 20 minutes and 22 seconds.

“From start to finish my friends and supporters along the way were incredible, carrying and pushing me to reach my goal time and new PB of 07:20.

“For me it is all about the special friendships and camaraderie that running brings to my life and for exactly that reason Comrades 2023 will have a special place in my heart.”

Merle Rautenbach was the 46th woman over the finish line in 07:24:25. She said “the Comrades convinced my heart that none of us are alone and love surrounds us even in the darkest shadows”.

Yvette Human completed the race in 08:35:25, finishing 78th in her category.

Human said the race brought together people from all walks of life to the start as equals.

She said that she was inspired by the “amazing support from literally the whole country”.

“Friends and family at home, supporting spectators next to the road, encouraging us and carrying us all the way to the finish line.”

Cinette van der Ende made the time of 08:41:41, finishing 88th in her category.

Van der Ende said that the race was tough and gruelling.

“But at the same time it is the most rewarding and amazing experience. The continuous support and vibe along the route carries you through the tough times,” she said.

The team’s leading male runner in the senior category, Stephan Koch finished 06:29:08, placing 87th in his category and 147 overall.

Koch said that he missed a sub-seven hour time by only two seconds last year and was determined to finish in under six hours and 45 minutes this year.

“As the kilometres ticked by, I continued to push my body to its limits, refusing to let fatigue deter me,” he said.

“With unwavering stamina and relentless determination, I not only achieved my target but surpassed it.

“It was a moment of triumph that I will cherish forever, knowing that my hard work and dedication had paid off,” said Koch.

Club coach Nuno Thomaz completed his 22nd Comrades this year as he ran with his wife Adél, missing the Bill Rowan by a mere 30 seconds.

His team had 25 finishers this year: 6 silver sub 07:30 (4 men, 2 women) 6 Bill Rowan sub 09:00 (4 men, 2 women), 7 Robert Mtshali sub 10:00 (4 men, 3 women), 3 bronze sub 11:00 (2 men, women) and 3 Vic Clapham sub 12:00 (2 men , 2 women).

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