Springs SAPS members made their community proud by completing the Comrades Marathon on June 14.

Among the participants was Sergeant Nthabiseng Ramaesela (46), who beat her previous personal best time of 11:30:35 by crossing the finish line in 10:07:11.

“I improved my previous time by one hour, 23 minutes and 24 seconds and was named one of the SAPS national top 10 female runners, placing second in Gauteng,” Ramaesela said proudly.

This was her third Comrades Marathon and she said she felt more in control than during her previous races.

“I kept telling myself, ‘I have trained for this marathon, and I will make it to the finish line.

“When I crossed the finish line, I was overwhelmed with emotion and the sweet realisation that I had survived the Ultimate Human Race,” she said.

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Another participant was Constable Halalisani Dlomo (35) who also completed his third Comrades Marathon in 08:27.

Dlomo persevered despite sustaining an injury three weeks before the race.

“It was very challenging because it was an up run with more hills. You need to negotiate the hills instead of fighting them, and the injury I had did not make it any easier.

“I told myself that I was not going to quit but that I would finish what I had started regardless of the pain I was feeling,” Dlomo said.

Dlomo also beat his personal best time of nine hours, an accomplishment that reflects his physical improvement.

“Finishing the Comrades Marathon makes you feel like you can conquer every challenge that comes your way,” he said.

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Results:

• Captain Sagathavan Pather: 10:49:24
• Sergeant Mmeselane Ramoshu: 09:44:59
• Constable Halalisani Dlomo: 08:27:43
• Sergeant Nthabiseng Ramaesela: 10:07:11