Springs Striders Athletics Club runners once again conquered the gruelling annual Comrades Marathon held on June 14.

Nine members from the club were among thousands of participants who travelled from different parts of the country to tackle the marathon, which started in Durban and finished in Pietermaritzburg.

Bernard Rudolph (52) reached the finish line in 11 hours and 36 minutes. Rudolph said the marathon left him with an overwhelming sense of achievement.

“I kept thinking about this year’s slogan, ‘Ska Fela Moya, Don’t Give Up’. I was not only running for myself, but for CHOC, a charity organisation that supports children with cancer, and I just said to myself, I have to finish it for them,” he said.

Rudolph last participated in the Comrades 26 years ago and described how it felt to make a comeback.

“It is really tough coming back after so many years. My main objective was to finish on time for a medal. I did that, so I achieved what I set out to do this year. I was a lot younger when I first did it, so doing it now made it that much harder,” Rudolph said.

He struggled to find the words to describe the incredible feeling of reaching the finish line.

“A sense of total relief and excitement comes over you as you cross the line, it symbolises months of hard work, sacrifice and dedication, it’s a huge emotional moment. I know that everything is possible through Jesus Christ, who strengthens me,” he said.

This year’s marathon also marked a redemption and comeback for 77-year-old Robin Williams, who could not finish the marathon last year due to injury.

This year, Williams crossed the finish line in 11 hours and 37 minutes, a significant milestone and symbol of resilience. Meanwhile, Karin Smith (67) completed her 28th Comrades this year.

Charmaine Botha completed her ninth Comrades, finishing in nine hours and 37 minutes. There were three starting batches this year: the first group at 05:00, the second at 05:15 and group three at 05:30.

“Starting in Durban is always very special as the smell of the ocean is in the air, and the first few kilometres are thousands of runners taking over the N3 highway on our way on the long train of athletes all the way to Pietermaritzburg,” she said.

She described her overall experience, stating that Comrades remains one of the ultimate human races.

“Every year is a totally different race. One can’t go in with any expectations; you have to play the card that is dealt on the day,” Botha said.

She shared how the toughest part of the race was the 54km mark when she realised she might not reach her personal goal for the day.

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“I had an emotional breakdown, this was 6km past halfway. I stopped, had a sandwich and a good cry, then stood up again and tackled plan B.

“No one can prepare you for this heartbreaking moment – blistered feet, sick of all the sweet nutrition, hot and sticky because of the humidity, fighting with yourself and questioning your life choices. Only you can dig yourself out of this hole and get back up,” she shared.

Botha talked about how many athletes begin to give in after 60km. She added that it takes mental toughness to pull through.

“Crossing the finish line is always a deeply emotional and personal moment. It is a moment when you prove to yourself that you are capable of great things and that what once seemed impossible may, in fact, be possible.

“People often tell me they watched me cross the finish line, and when I later watch the recordings, I can clearly see what was going through my mind. It is not arrogance or even relief, but simply pure gratitude,” said Botha.

Results:

Carla Strauss – 9:14:53
Charmaine Botha – 9:36:38
Mzwakhe Maseko – 10:30:13
Ferdi van Tonder – 10:50:56
Bernard Rudolph – 11:36:01
Karin Smith – 10:53:01
Annetjie Nel – 11:26:09
Robin Williams – 11:47:15