Panorama runners conquer the ultimate race
Behind every medal is a story. The runners share what it took them to get to the finish line.
Several runners from the Panorama Running Club took part in this year’s Comrades Marathon which took place on Sunday, June 8, and whether it was their first or fifth time on the course, each participant had a unique reason for running and a story to tell.
For Ofentse Lebethe, this was not a new challenge.
“I wanted to see if I could do it again,” he said.
Having completed multiple Comrades before, Lebethe used his experience and training to push through difficult moments, particularly when his feet began to ache around the 70 km mark.
First-time runner Sibusiso Ngcobo said he was drawn by the prestige of the event.
“The stature of the race is what inspired me,” he said.
Though he found this year’s down run particularly tough, he was motivated by the strong support along the route and from fellow runners.
Portia Alexander said watching the race on TV as a child sparked her interest. “I always knew I would do it,” she said. After struggling with fitness in the lead-up, she relied on long weekend runs with her club to build the endurance needed for race day.
Also read: Comrades countdown begins for Panorama runners
Training with the local club helped all five runners prepare both physically and mentally. Gangatha Mkele, chairman of the club, highlighted the importance of structured sessions, including track training at Ruimsig Stadium.
“It helped me stay focused and build the speed I needed,” he says.
For Gangatha, the moments that stood out were from encouraging cheers from the crowd to spotting loved ones along the route. “Seeing my wife and hearing her say, ‘Do something special,’ really lifted my spirits,” he says.
“My club took away all the anxiety,” said Alexander highlighting that club support played a big role.
Others mentioned the value of sharing the journey with teammates and knowing there were others behind them, both literally and figuratively.
When asked if they would return, responses varied. Some are already planning for next year, while others are taking a break or looking for new goals. Still, most agree that the race is worth the effort. Their advice to newcomers is to start early, train consistently, and don’t do it alone.
“Join a club and train with others,” said Alexander. “It helps more than you think.”
