Toti athlete set for 7th Comrades Marathon

AMANZIMTOTI Athletic Club’s captain, Warren Gibson, has been mixing up his training and doing various route testers in preparation for the Comrades Marathon on August 28.

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At the beginning of the year, he competed in a 42.2km run at 06:00, then a 21.1km at 13:00 and then a 10km at 16:00. “That’s 73.3km, in just under eight hours of running. My doctor jokingly told me that only insane people do that, and that after dealing with me he will also have to go see a doctor,” said Gibson.

Building up to the world’s oldest ultra-marathon, he also did a route tester of 56km, from Pietermaritzburg to Hillcrest, as well as one from Camperdown to Hillcrest. “I train in the heat as well as in the ice-cold mornings because on Comrades day, the weather can give you anything,” said Gibson.

He has also been mixing up his training by doing cross-country events, trails and cycling. His best Comrades time yet is 9 hours 58 minutes.

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He said, “The funny thing about the Comrades is people say ‘it’s the down-run’ but no, there are a lot of uphills before reaching the halfway mark.”

His lucky charm is having his daughter’s name written on one shoe and his wife’s name on the other. He only starts drinking water after the first 25km and only eats after 42km. During the last few kilometres, he drinks a Coke for a sugar spike.

Gibson’s favourite part of the race is seeing his family at the finish line. His tip to those running it for the first time is to start slow and not to go into the race over-trained.

“Also, for those who want to do the Comrades one day, don’t give up on your dreams because it is possible. Once you do one, you will want to go back for more,” he said.

Despite the nerves, he is looking forward to finishing his 7th Comrades and getting his 7th medal. Thereafter, he will take a few weeks to rest before starting all over again and preparing for next year’s Comrades Marathon.

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