POLOKWANE – Growing up watching the Comrades Marathon on television means speaking participation into existence and that’s exactly what Naomi Mouton did.

When you believe and have passion, hard work and dedication pays off.

“If you are passionate about something and you want to achieve it, it is possible,” she told the Polokwane Review-Observer.

She says 2024 has been her year of success, having obtained a Vic Clapham medal at this year’s Comrades Marathon. This is a medal awarded to runners who managed to finish between 11 and 12 hours.

“From being a novice runner to finishing in 11 hours and 33 minutes was the best race and experience in my running journey so far.”

Mouton says it is because of her coach that she managed to come out victorious because he is the one who was always pushing her to do better.

“To my coach, Chris De Klerk, thank you for helping me with a great training programme, running with me and teaching me about correct fueling for races and keeping me on track.”

Mouton also showed appreciation to the Pietersburg Road Runners team for welcoming her and assisting here. “I also thank my husband and son for supporting me,” she added.

Mouton said that she will patiently wait for the 2025 Comrades Marathon with the hope that she will return with another medal.