Panorama Pacers set the assist runners to finish line
With multiple Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon finishers among the pace team, runners can look forward to expert guidance and plenty of motivation on race day.
Runners taking part in the Clearwater Mall Race on Saturday, August 22, will have the support of experienced pacers from Panorama Running Club to help them achieve their target times in both the 10km and 21km races.
The club’s pacing programme is designed to help runners maintain a consistent pace while providing motivation, encouragement and guidance throughout the race.
Leading the 21km Halala bus is Shahieda ‘Makhi’ Thungo, an accomplished endurance runner who has completed nine Two Oceans Marathons, nine Comrades Marathons and one Washie 100 Miler. The recipient of the 2024 Spirit of Comrades Award, Thungo says helping others reach the finish line is her greatest reward.
The Sub-1:40 bus will be led by Doctor Vilakazi, who began running in 2017 and became a pacer two years ago. Since then, he has successfully paced more than 10 races across four provinces and has been nominated for Best Pacer of the Year at the 2026 Gauteng Runner Awards.
Runners targeting a Sub-2:00 finish can join Johan van Tonder’s bus. He describes pacing as his way of giving back to the running community after receiving support during his own running journey.
The Sub-2:30 bus will be led by Eddie Thekiso, affectionately known as the ‘Chairman’s Bus’. After recovering from an injury that nearly left him permanently disabled, Thekiso went on to complete the Comrades Marathon and now believes every runner deserves encouragement, regardless of pace.
For the 10km event, Benjamin Nomakanjani will guide the Sub-50-minute bus, drawing on more than 20 years of running experience and 17 Comrades Marathon finishes.
Four-time Comrades finisher Tsiu Twala will lead the Sub-1-hour bus, while Faith Tiroza, known as “Feet of Faith”, will captain the Sub-1:20 bus. Tiroza has completed five Comrades Marathons, five Two Oceans Marathons, four Cape Town Marathons and several international races.
According to Panorama Running Club, the pacers are more than timekeepers, providing race-day strategy, motivation and camaraderie to help participants stay relaxed and on target.
Whether chasing a personal best, a qualifying time or simply aiming to finish with confidence, runners are encouraged to join the pace group that best matches their goal and let the experienced bus captains guide them to the finish line.
