LISTEN: The road to the Comrades, what it takes
Runners from South Africa and the world are preparing for the first Comrades Marathon in two years, after this world renowned long distance race was stopped in its tracks by the Covid-19 pandemic.
KwaZulu-Natal province will once again be welcoming runners from all over the world on Sunday for the 95th Comrades.
Organisers expect some 14 000 runners from 72 countries to participate in the 2022 Comrades Marathon, which will start in Pietermaritzburg and finish at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The winners of both the men and women’s race will receive R260 000 each, going down to R12 000 for the person who ends in tenth place.
Runner and Cyclist Phillip Ralehlaka says the 2022 marathon is more challenging as it happens after the winter season; however, he believes he is well prepared.
“What actually inspired me to run a comrades marathon is that it is very challenging. It challenges not only your physical being, but also the mental strength. It teaches one the art of patience, perseverance and also the discipline. My target this year, I am targeting to finish it within 11 hours because it is my 10th year running this year,” says Ralehlaka.
Listen to Ralehlaka below:
Meanwhile, Mediamark IT manager, Lwando Shode says the 2022 marathon is his first ever comrades marathon and he will be running for a charity.
“This is going to be my first ever Comrades. Quite crazy to think about it, I have always watched it on TV and in 2018 I brought a friend of mine here to come support and something shifted in me when I watched it in Moses Mabhida.It is one of those things that every South African actually has to run, it is a real human race. The mentality to prepare for this is just insane and like everyone knows, the body can handle it but the mind..,” says Shode.
Listen to Shode below:
Runner, Kgomotso Diphoko, agrees that this is a race that every South African should try – if only once.
“It’s not just a run, there is no race like it in the world and we are privileged as a country to be able to do that and make our mark on the world stage,” says Diphoko.
Listen to Diphoko below:
