POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Athletics Club (PAC) hosted a warm Comrades Marathon breakfast send-off for its runners at the Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane conference hall on Saturday.

The event celebrated the 184 club members who qualified to represent the club and the province at the 2025 Comrades Marathon – Ultimate Human Race, set to take place this Sunday, running from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

PAC chairperson Thabana Mokgohloa shared the qualification criteria, noting that runners must complete at least one standard marathon (42.2 km) in under five hours to qualify for the Comrades.

A highlight of the morning was the acknowledgment of the club’s oldest and most celebrated runner, Johannes Mosehla (83), who will be participating in his 13th Comrades Marathon this year.

“I thank God for giving me the strength and energy to continue running for the club and to represent the province each year,” he proudly said.

Mokgohloa explained the concept of ‘buses’ used during the Comrades Marathon.

“For those unfamiliar with marathon terms, a ‘bus’ is a group of athletes running together toward a common finish time goal, led by a ‘bus driver’.”

Club members Maropeng Mojela and Lucas Seleka will serve as bus drivers for the sub-10-hour and sub-11:45-hour finish times, respectively.

For first-time Comrades runner Bronwyn Serradinho, among other 21 novices, the send-off was an emotional and inspiring moment.

“As a proud Comrades novice, it’s an honour to stand among so many seasoned athletes. Running the Comrades has been a childhood dream of mine. I’m just days away from standing at that start line, singing our national anthem with thousands of others, it’s a good time to be alive,” she said.

She added: “Our club secretary, Moloko Makgato, promised to carry me from the halfway mark to the finish if I made it this far. So, Mr Makgato, I’ve kept my part of the deal – I’ll be waiting for you at halfway!”

The runners each received matching goody backpacks filled with surprise full gear and other essentials they’ll need at the Comrades Marathon.
Mokgohloa closed the event by wishing all the runners success in the race: “Good luck and bon voyage!”

Following the formalities, members shared a hearty breakfast and spent time outdoors, chatting about the upcoming race and sharing advice, stories and excitement for the journey ahead.