REPORTER

AS part of preparing for the upcoming Comrades Marathon, runners in Kokstad and surrounding areas participated in a 50km run last Sunday, May 11.

Runners from local clubs such as XJ athletics club, #4AM and RunR56 participated.

Bonginkosi Mbotshwa, the XJ athletics club spokesperson, said that more than 40 runners participated in the 90% gravel route. In the next few weeks, runners will be participating in this year’s Comrades Marathon, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, on June 8.

Dr Pholani Majola, the #4AM runner’s club secretary, said that runners are more than ready to hit the ground running.

He said preparations for this year’s downhill route started last year. He applauded the commitment that has been displayed by runners ahead of the much-anticipated race.

“Runners are more than ready for the Comrades Marathon,” he said. He thanked the local businessman Oussein Thiam for preparing a scrumptious lunch for runners after they finished the long run.

 Dr Majola advised runners to avoid unnecessary injuries before the big day.