Local club confident of finishing well at Comrades Marathon
With the experienced lot taking part this year, club chairman Alwin Hempel predicted a good run from his running mates, whom he felt were ready to live up to the challenge.
Months and months of training will finally be put to the test when about 24 athletes from Panorama Running Club tackle the fast-approaching Comrades Marathon next month.
The gruelling 89km down race (from Pietermaritzburg to Durban) will take place on 10 June.
With the experienced lot taking part this year, club chairman Alwin Hempel predicted a good run from his running mates, whom he felt were ready to live up to the challenge.
“We had about 35 runners at the beginning of the year, but as the months went by, people have pulled out because of injuries and lack of training. The remaining runners have been training well, but it’s going to be a tough race because the Comrades is always tough,” said Alwin.
“The toughest thing about Comrades is not just the race itself – it’s the months and months of training,” he added.
The club was proud to announce that they will have two novices running this year as well as two athletes going for their green numbers, which are awarded to participants successfully completing the Comrades for the tenth time.
Moses Phiri and Sharon Hempel, the tenth time runners, will be aiming to complete the race successfully in order to earn their green numbers.
An excited Moses, who is aiming to add a Bill Rowan medal to his collection of Comrades silverware, told Northsider that his love for running kept him going. “I just enjoy running long distance. It’s always exciting to run Comrades because on the road you interact with people and they keep you going,” he said.
Xana Cloete and Austin Dlamini are the two beginners. Xana, who isn’t sure of what to expect, said he is going to take it as it comes but aims to least finish the race.
The club was also happy to see its previous first-timers, Simangele Nanjee, Priyanka Moodley and Mikiel Penyani return for the back-to-back run.
The club is now preparing for its Pre-Comrades Pasta Party, when all the runners will receive goodie bags from their sponsors. The aim of this, according to Alwin, is to recognise the runners taking part in this iconic race.
For more information on the club, visit https://www.panoramarunners.co.za.
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