Pietersburg Road Runners geared for team win

When the starting pistol sounds at this year’s Comrades Marathon on Sunday, eight runners from Pietersburg Road Runners (PRR) will give their all to win the team prize, which will be calculated on the combined times of the first four club members to finish in each category.
Club chairperson, Colinda Potgieter, spoke at the club’s goodie bag handover on Sunday and said PRR is traditionally a club made up of mostly Comrades athletes. “This year we are proud to send 26 runners to compete in this gruelling ultra-marathon that will stretch over 86,73 km. We have high hopes for several members and wish every runner all the best,” she said and added that they are determined to win the team competition.
“Some of our athletes are already acclimatising and preparing for the Comrades in the KwaZulu-Natal highlands and could not be at the goody bag handover,” Potgieter continued. “We also have quite a few runners who will be wearing green numbers. This is a permanent number awarded to participants who have managed the feat of successfully completing 10 Comrades Marathons.”
Potgieter singled out two female runners who will be running their second Comrades this year. “Joyce Lefetse achieved an incredible time of 7:29 and Geneva Rapahla a fast 8:33 on their first time of tackling the Comrades. This year they will be running their second Comrades and we are looking forward to see how they excel at this year’s run.”
She also wished the club’s six novices, who will be running the Comrades for the first time this year. They are Amri van Aarde, Annalie Fuchs, Katie Scholtz, Helga Moreira, Lucky Maahlo and Raymond Magobana.
Lazarus Seroka will run his 18th Comrades this year and Potgieter said the club celebrated his perseverance and tenacity.
“My advice to our club members who are running the Comrades Marathon is to just do their best throughout the race, because that is what will bring you to the finish line in the fastest possible time. PRR athletes are historically Comrades runners and we always finish what we start,” Potgieter said.
“I wish every one of the runners all the best. Believe in yourself the way we believe in you.”
Potgieter also thanked the club’s supporters for all their sacrifices and help during the run-up to the race, as well as their assistance and encouragement during the race.

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

Photos: THINUS DU TOIT
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