Five runners from Grahamstown took part in the 90th edition of the Comrades Marathon. This year was the 'Up' run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and covered a total distance of 87.7km.
Five runners from Grahamstown took part in the 90th edition of the Comrades Marathon. This year was the 'Up' run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and covered a total distance of 87.7km.
Nokuzola Apleni of Rhodes University Athletics Club, the only Grahamstown female at this year's event, earned a 'back-to-back' medal together with her finishers medal.
Runners are entitled to a 'back-to-back' medal if they complete an 'Up' and 'Down' run in consecutive years.
Apleni did not complete the 'Up' run in 2013, the year her father passed away.
"I needed to prove a point to myself," she said about finishing this year's race.
She added that, while she is not too happy with her time, she enjoyed the race.
Apleni finished in 11 hours 48 minutes 03 seconds.
First Grahamstown athlete home was Thembinkosi Mdyogolo, running in the colours of Nedbank Running Club, Eastern Province.
He finished in 8:59:48. At the age of 62, Eric Mapara (Rhodes) completed his 11th Comrades, earning himself a Vic Clapham medal as he finished in 11:01:14.
Also finishing the 2015 Comrades was Vusumzi Mafu (South African National Defence Force, Eastern Province) in 9:16:48 and Rooi Rikhotso (Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club) in 9:26:58.
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