THE older you get the faster time seems to fly. Well, if that’s the case then I’m very old.
We are halfway through March and Easter is already on our doorstep. It feels like just yesterday that I decided to attempt the Comrades this year,.
Now, with a mere few weeks away until qualifications for the big race close people around the country are starting to panic in order to at least complete a marathon within the required five hour time limit.
I attended the Umgeni Water Marathon last Sunday at Midmar Dam, the pressure for me to complete it was off because I had already done my qualifier a month earlier, but I did see a lot of panic on those around me who still required that all important finish.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the be all and end all just yet. If you have not qualified yet you still have a month and a half to push through, and as a note to those who have already qualified we are now in a critical phase to optimise your training, in other words don’t start slacking.
Each week I will be naming a few of the contenders for this year’s Comrades in my weekly article, so don’t miss out on catching up with your favourite runner.
Zandile Dunywa ran her frst Comrades last year at the age of 39, shortly after having an emergency appendix operation, and received a Vic Clapham medal.
Deborah Berridge, who is quite a strong runner and runs in the special Pink Drive charity category, ran her first Comrades in 2009 at the age of 39. She has seven medals (six bronze and one Vic Clapham).
Raymond Gaze ran his first Comrades in 1994 at the age of 46. He has 18 medals (13 bronze and five Vic Claphams).
