A MAGICAL experience. That is how Isipingo runner Clinton Lutchman describes his first Comrades Marathon. With his case of the running bug taking hold, he was more than up to task to qualify for and enter his second Comrades, this time eager to take on the infamous up-run.

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“This year, I know what to expect and I plan to take a drive along the route around two weeks before the race to familiarise myself and mentally prepare. That way, I will know where I need to cover ground and where I’m going to struggle,” said the eager runner. For his qualifier, he opted to take on the 42.2km eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon, which he completed in 04:37:56.

Lutchman is a proud Isipingo resident and business owner. He is a member of the Merewent Athletics Club. Towards the end of 2024 on a whim he decided that he wanted to take on his first Comrades Marathon, without ever having taken on any long-distance marathon. After overcoming last year’s Comrades in a time of 11:47:41, he vowed to complete a total of 10 to achieve his green number.

“Last year, the preparation started quite late and things only got serious in April. For this upcoming marathon, I started training with my son Bradwyn last year November. He recently came first in the juniors category of the Galleria Mall Challenge, so the training is already paying off. During the qualifier, I injured my knee, but cannot let it set me back. For now, I am focused on recovering on time, but still getting distance in for practise,” said Lutchman.

He explained that for an up-run, training is a whole new beast as far more hilly terrain has to be integrated into training. Clinton added that time is a big factor. His goal this year is to finish in less than 11 hours.

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