June brings shorter, colder days as winter settles in, but it also signals the arrival of Comrades season. Excitement, nerves and anticipation are building as runners prepare for the iconic ultra-marathon taking place this Sunday, June 14.

The Roodepoort Athletics Club hosted a braai on Saturday, June 6, in honour of their 35 athletes preparing to take on the 99th Comrades Marathon.

This year, athletes will line up for the 85km Up Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, testing their endurance, preparation and mental resilience on one of the world’s most demanding road races.

The club’s annual braai brings together runners, friends and family for a day of camaraderie and encouragement. It also provides an opportunity for the club committee to present runners with a commemorative gift. This year, each athlete received a tog bag sponsored by Tork Craft, along with words of encouragement.

Also read: Roodies runners conquer Comrades Marathon

Club chairperson Conrad du Buys, a seasoned Comrades runner with 17 finishes, addressed the group and reflected on his decision not to take part this year.

“It feels a bit surreal for me this year to not be part of the group that will line up at the starting line, but I decided to give my entry to one of our novices. I will be back next year for the 100th edition,” he said.

Du Buys said it was encouraging to see strong participation from the club, including five novices and several experienced runners.

“It is rather inspiring to have 35 club members participating in this year’s Up Run. I take my hat off to all the family members and relatives who have supported these athletes throughout their year of training. I wish every athlete a successful run. Bring back the medal,” he said.

Among the participants are five novices – Louis Kriel, Ben Britz, Moss Segakweng, Wiseman Manugu and Cindy Cloete – alongside five runners completing back-to-back Comrades finishes: Eric Jacobs, Arno Cilliers, Keenan Buys, Jessika Coetzer and Bradley du Plessis.

Veteran runner Johan Breydenbach will also be on the start line, aiming for his 31st Comrades Marathon finish.

From seasoned veterans to first-time participants, the runners were in high spirits, although some nervous energy was evident.

The Roodepoort Record spoke to some of the novices, who shared their reasons for wanting to line up for this race.

This is what the novices had to say

Louis Kriel:
“When people ask why I decided to run the Comrades Marathon, my mind immediately goes back to the 1980s. I see myself as a young boy on May 31, Republic Day, sitting with my dad in front of the television, our feet frozen in the early winter chill, watching the Comrades from start to finish. Those moments were sacred. That is where the dream began.

“My greatest inspiration was my uncle, George Roberts, who completed the Comrades Marathon with eight silver medals and 10 bronze medals, proudly wearing race number 1006. He showed me what discipline and endurance truly look like. Another influence was Alan Robb, a well-known runner and family friend of my uncle. Together, they planted the seed.

“I only started running years later when our daughter, Martinette, began competing in cross-country in 2019. Supporting her soon turned into joining her. Weekend parkruns became a family tradition. At one of those parkruns, I met Kobus Koch, who encouraged me to join the Roodepoort Athletics Club.

“As Johan at the club famously said, ‘You can’t join a club and not think about running Comrades’. He was right. Soon, I found myself surrounded by club legends – Johan, Dale, Oom Jan, Hazel, Oom Charlie and Conrad – people who embody the spirit of running.

“This year, my Comrades journey carries a deeper meaning. I am dedicating my 2026 run to loved ones who are no longer with us. First, my father, Willem, and Oom George, who introduced me to running and remained a role model throughout my life. Secondly, the family members we tragically lost in a motor vehicle accident in December 2025 – Riaan, Ilani, Anri and Christelle. Every kilometre is for them.

Also read: Van vakansiedrome tot tragedie: ’n Roodepoort-ma deel haar verlies en volharding

“To every participant lining up on June 14: I salute you. The long hours, sacrifices, training, races, early mornings and days when motivation runs low mean you are part of something extraordinary.

“And finally, to my supporters, especially my wife, Kotie – thank you. Thank you for every sacrifice, every moment of patience and every push out the door when I did not feel like training. This journey belongs to both of us.”

Ben Britz:
“As a lifelong customer and supporter of my local fish and chips shop, I often found myself looking at the photographs and medals of green number Comrades runner Felix de Gouveia, owner of Village Fast Foods. While waiting for my takeaway orders, I would listen to his stories and anecdotes about the Comrades Marathon.

“What particularly caught my attention was his fond recollection of the camaraderie among both Comrades runners and his fellow Roodepoort Athletics Club members. After watching Gerda Steyn win again in 2025, I spoke to Felix about the race. He politely challenged me to stop talking about it, start training and just do it by qualifying for and entering the Comrades Marathon.

“At that moment, I knew my excuses had run out, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Moss Segakweng:
“Running has shown me what discipline and consistency can achieve over time. It has also helped me build mental and physical strength.

“Being part of the Roodepoort Athletics Club has made the journey more enjoyable through the friendships and sense of community it has provided.”

Cindy Cloete:
“My journey to my first Comrades Marathon began with a simple prayer. During a difficult season in my life, I struggled to sleep and asked the Lord for help. Shortly afterwards, a friend invited me to start running, and I saw it as an answer to prayer.

“Running transformed my life. I began sleeping soundly again, my fitness improved, and I rediscovered the love of running I had as a young girl. Along the way, members of Roodepoort Athletics Club encouraged me to consider Comrades, bringing to life a dream I had held since watching the race on television as a child.

“After completing my first ultra-marathon, Om Die Dam 2025, I decided to take on Comrades 2026. I am incredibly grateful to the Roodies Comrades runners, my friends and my wonderful children for their encouragement and support throughout this journey.

Also read: Roodies runners conquer Two Oceans

“Above all, I thank the Lord for the privilege of being able to run. The outcome is in His hands. Whatever happens on race day, I have peace in Christ. I quote Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2, ‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith’.

One thing is certain: As each runner stands at that starting line, they will be carried by the support from each club member and loved one to go all out and do their very best.