Goodies for the road
Some 108 athletes from Polokwane Athletics Club gathered at Nguni Grill to receive goodie bags prior to the 90th Comrades Marathon.
POLOKWANE – Some 108 athletes from Polokwane Athletics Club gathered at Nguni Grill to receive goodie bags prior to the 90th Comrades Marathon that will take place on May 31 in Pietermaritzburg.
The Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon run over a distance of 90 km between the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban.
Pieter Pretorius, one of the athletes, said every Comrades Marathon meant a new change and chapter.
“The Comrades Marathon taught most of us the true meaning of hard work and dedication and I am certain that we will continue pushing ourselves to the limit. I know that some of us are already nervous and anxious, but I would like to encourage you to stand firm and make last preparations before the big day,” he said.
Paul Robbette, a motivational speaker and athlete, said all the athletes from Polokwane Athletic Club would cross the finish line this year.
“If anyone fails to finish the marathon, it will be due to injury not because of exhaustion. The Comrades Marathon is a mind game hence athletes should be mentally and physically fit to finish the race,” said Robbette.
He added that everything was in the mind and urged athletes not to look at their watches often when they ran. He further said athletes should try to stay in good shape up until the 38 km mark, this way they would finish the race without any difficulties.
Robbette wished all the athletes the best of luck and urged them to compete against themselves to reap better personal rewards at the end of the marathon.
