Mzansi Athletic Club ready for first Comrades

Mzansi Athletic Club is only six months old and already sending 12 runners off to take part in the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.
The club had their goody bag handover at Nguni Grill on Saturday where Coach Lufuno Mudau offered up a few tips after Master of Ceremonies and Vice-chairperson, Maswime Tovhowani welcomed guests.
Mudau warned runners not to get carried away, but to keep to their own pace. “Set small goals for yourself like being at a certain point along the way at a certain time and try to stick to this. If you burn too much energy by running too fast at the beginning of the race, you will not make it to the end,” he said, adding that it is a good idea to walk uphill and run downhill to conserve energy.
The well experienced coach told his athletes to make sure that they eat enough and stay hydrated along the way. “Drink your electrolytes as you run and take your anti-cramping pills when necessary. Keep it on your running belt and make use of the water points and medical tents on the route, that is what they are for.”
Club Chairperson, Richard Rambiyana said he was proud of the fact that five of the club’s Comrades runners this year are novices and four are women. Two of these women, Dineo Manamela and Dimakatso Mafuna, wil be running their second Comrades Marathon back to back. Albert Masela, who was not able to attend the event, will be running his 20th Comrades this year.
Rambiyana mentioned that sponsorship would increase athletes’ motivation as well as performance. “Polokwane Executive Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng offered R200 000 to any Limpopo resident who wins the race this year. The offer is good but not good enough to cultivate a culture of running in the province. The best Comrades runners are based in Limpopo and deserve to be recognised and financially empowered whether they have won the race or not,” he said.
“I want to plead with the business community to partner with government in order to reward excellence and develop talent. Through these initiatives young people and many more will be motivated to join athletic clubs and participate in marathons.”
Rambiyana wished all Mzansi runners the best of luck and conveyed the club’s well wishes to runners from other clubs in the city who will also take part in the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.

Story: MARKI FRANKEN
>>marki.observer@gmail.com

Photos: THINUS DU TOIT
>>thinus@observer.co.za