Young runners make their Comrades Marathon debut

Making their Comrades Marathon debut today are Minkateko Letsoalo and Xander Mcneil.

Both aged 20, are the youngest runners starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and making their way to Durban's People's Park.

The duo will join over 22 000 runners who are running 89.98 km in the 98th edition of the iconic Ultimate Human Race.

The annual marathon attracts runners from various countries.

Letsoalo, from Pretoria, said she wanted to do something big this year and decided to do the Comrades Marathon.

"My mum, Pumza Khumalo ran two Comrades years back and I decided to get her to join me again. I have been running since the age of 17, with my mum, just to keep active.

"I began training for the Comrades last year. People ask me why I am doing this at such a young age, and I say I rather do this whilst I am young," said Letsoalo.

Letsoalo's longest run thus far has been the 50 km Tshwane North Ultra, which was her qualifier to the Comrades.She said she enjoys being part of the running community as she gets to meet new people along the way.

"The running community is very supportive and has been giving me advice," she said.

Letsoalo said she was very excited and nervous.

"I am happy that it is a down run. Although I haven't trained along the Comrades route, I have had some practice runs in Pretoria in areas that replicate the route.

"I am feeling that adrenaline rush, especially being surrounded by other runners. No matter what happens I will come back next year," she said.

Mcneil, who lives in Stellenbosch, said he always had a love for running.

After being diagnosed with a disc herniation or spinal disc herniation, an injury to the intervertebral disc between two vertebrae, he decided there was a lot more to life than slowing down.

"With this disease my back is compensated and this has caused sclerosis. After a near death experience in hospital my chiropractor said everyone's got talent and motivation to do something.

"My dad ran two Comrades previously and so I decided to give it a try. Running is part of my life. This disease may hinder certain aspects of my life, but it won't stop me from doing what I enjoy," said Mcneil.

He said the Comrades Marathon may be a big jump, but it is something he can accomplish.

"I am happy that my first Comrades is a down run. I am hoping to finish in sub 10," he said.

Meanwhile with all types of accommodation in the host cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and beyond, expected to be fully booked, Sibusiso Gumbi, the Acting Chief Executive of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, said he was delighted that the race will  exceed pre-COVID figures.”

“With all eyes on the race, we are hoping that it will inspire people - whether they watch it on the roadside or on their televisions - to choose KZN for their next holiday or attend one of our many sporting events that are hosted in our province,” said Gumbi.

The economic spin-off from the Comrades Marathon topped R600-million last year and it was expected to be even more this year, with race organisers predicting it could reach over R600-million, with a direct spend of R275 308, and at least 1800 jobs created.

“The Comrades Marathon brings more visitors to our region than any other big international sporting event.  We have everything a tourist could wish for: beautiful scenery, the beach, the bush, the Berg, diverse attractions, including game reserves and safari experiences, and friendly people.”

Hotelier Brett Tungay, board chairman of the regional branch of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa) said: “Bearing in mind the overall trajectory of the year for KZN, there is a real sense of optimism in tourism circles.”

The hospitality industry was expecting positive tourism figures “driven by the participation of international runners and the influx of domestic visitors from various regions of the country’’.

He pointed out that the Comrades Marathon follows a bumper May when Durban and KZN hosted crowd-pulling sporting events and Africa’s Travel Indaba, which attracted almost 10 000 delegates from around the world.

Record turnout

The Comrades Marathon Association General Manager, Alain Dalais, said “With this year’s race attracting the largest Down Run field in the history of the race, we’re expecting a record turnout of spectators and supporters, so this all points to the 2025 race being a true spectacle".

Some 22 677 runners have qualified – 20% of the field are women - and organisers are expecting “at least” 24 000 to start the race.

The previous record for the Down Run was 19 047 runners set in 2018.

The Comrades Marathon has attracted 3 063 international runners: 1 282 from the Rest of Africa and 1 781 from countries outside Africa.

“We expect those international athletes to bring around another 3 000 family, loved ones and travelling companions with them; hence some 6 000 international visitors will be coming to the province, Dalais said.

Extra time

Many runners and their supporters – particularly the international runners and their families – spend extra time in the province after the race, with the international visitors booking game drives and safari visits to wildlife conservation areas, like Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and the Ithala Game Reserve.

They also make the most of the great beaches and the warm waters of the KZN coastline, Dalais added.

The course is somewhat shorter this year (89km) as it needs to accommodate road construction at the Umlaas Road Interchange, with the route going through some suburbs.

There will be 47 refreshment stations along the route and there will be several “fun, vibey” activation points and spectator zones to support the runners.

Another big change is that the start of the race will be divided into two groups – the first setting off at 5.45am and the second at 6am – to promote safety, avoid bottlenecks and to give the runners the opportunity of posting a good time by reducing the time it takes them to get over the start line.

Another innovation for 2025

All runners will have 12 hours to complete the race.

“The street finish in Durban is another innovation this year, with one of the biggest bonuses for the runners being that they won’t need to climb any stairs after finishing, as has been the case when they have finished inside one of the stadiums,” Dalais said.

“This will also allow the clubs to have their tents and gazebos close to the finish line, creating a great vibe throughout the day.”

The race was started in 1921 as a living memorial to South African soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War.  Known for its challenging course, scenic views and unique traditions, the race will include big names, repeat runners and first timers.

Both of last year’s men’s and women’s winners, Piet Wiersma (Netherlands) and Gerda Steyn, will be competing. Other previous winners, Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi and Alexandra Morozova (Russia) will also be competing.

“And there are many others in the elite field that could also challenge for the win,” the Comrades Marathon general manager said.

Several celebrities will also be competing, with popular comedian and TV personality Schalk Bezuidenhout running his first Comrades, while well-known rapper and musician Kabelo Mabalane will be aiming for a 13th Comrades medal.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE