Inspiration for runners for the next Comrades
Prospective Comrades Marathon runners were inspired and motivated during an open night at the Polokwane Athletic Club's club house last Wednesday to participate in the marathon.
POLOKWANE – Prospective Comrades Marathon runners were inspired and motivated during an open night at the Polokwane Athletic Club’s club house last Wednesday to participate in the marathon.
Wessel Marais, a qualified IAAF long distance coach and former chairperson of the Polokwane Athletic Club, discussed all aspects of preparing for the “ultimate race”.
After introducing the attendees to the Comrades Marathon, Marais discussed the highlights and low points that athletes might encounter during their training and the marathon itself.
During his talk, Marais also focused on training programmes, necessary gear and techniques and shared his personal Comrades experiences and knowledge of the race.
“There is a saying that goes around in the running fraternity that every South African should try to run the Comrades Marathon at least once just to experience the atmosphere and goodwill for which this race is known worldwide,” said Marais.
“The Polokwane Athletic Club will start with a training group from July 7. The group will train toge-ther from the club house for the 2015 race,” said Polokwane Athletic Club chairperson, Johan Janse van Vuuren.
Janse van Vuuren explained that any healthy person who could walk for 30 minutes could join the training group and take on the Comrades next year.
“The first three months of the training will be aimed at getting everybody to a basic level of fitness and to run a comfortable 10km road race by the end of September. The training groups will be led by current and former Comrades runners with a lot of experience,” Janse van Vuuren added.
Anyone interested in joining the Polokwane Athletic Club’s Comrades training groups or in sponsoring club members for the Comrades can contact Johan Janse van Vuuren at 083 277 2505 or Ria du Plessis at 083 259 2790.
