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Last month for 2015 Comrades Marathon Entries

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Entries for the 90th Comrades Marathon will close at month end or as soon as the cap of 23000 has been reached. The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that more than 14230 entries have already been received since the entry process opened on 1 September 2014.


This means that less than 9000 entries are available before the overall entry process closes at the end of November or as soon as the cap has been reached. Thereafter, no entries will be accepted so runners are urged to enter as soon as possible or risk missing out.
CMA Race Director, Rowyn James says, ‘The 90th Comrades Marathon is going to be a very special one for us and our runners. We urge our runners to be a part of next year’s event on Sunday, 31 May 2015.’

The cost to South African runners is R380. Runners from the Rest of Africa will be charged an entry fee of R600 while all other International athletes will pay R2000. The entry requirements, which are clearly indicated on the entry form, must be adhered to at all times.

Entries may be made as follows:
· online via the Comrades Marathon website: www.comrades.com;
· by posting the completed entry form with proof of payment to the CMA Office in Pietermaritzburg: P.O. Box 100621, Scottsville, 3209;
· by handing in the completed entry form together with payment at the CMA office in Pietermaritzburg: 18 Connaught Road, Scottsville.

Runners may enter the race before running a qualifying marathon (minimum qualifying distance of 42.2km run in under 5 hours) which must be run between 1 August 2014 and 3 May 2015. Please note that the 2014 Comrades Marathon will not be an automatic qualifier for the 2015 race. Qualifying details must be submitted to the CMA by 5 May 2015.


The 90th edition of the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon will be an ‘up-run’, starting at the Durban City Hall and ending at the Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
The Substitution window period will be from 1 – 21 April 2015.

Super Stu

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Top pro multisporter Stuart Marais finished fourth in his first 70.3 Half Ironman at the beginning of this year in Buffalo City, then pulled off his first win on the European circuit and went on to qualify for the 70.3 World Champs, but was unfortunately unable to go compete. Now he has set his sights on getting to Australia for the next World Champs.

– BY SEAN FALCONER

With a successful first season of 70.3 racing behind him, Stuart reckons he has found his true triathlon niche, thanks largely to his running speed. “I don’t think the Half Iron is won or lost on the swim, and I usually come out in the second bunch, so I’ve been working really hard on the bike, because I believe the 70.3 is won by the most conserved biker, getting into the run fresher. I’ve changed my training dynamic to work towards that,” says Stuart. “I’m from a running background, and when I’m in form, there are very few guys who can run with me off the bike, so it is a great confidence-booster for me if I start the run amongst the top guys, because normally I can pull it through.”

Having raced 70.3s in SA, Europe and Malaysia, Stuart qualified for the 70.3 World Champs in Canada, but was forced to withdraw due to a fatigue problem, and says he‘d like to give it a ‘big knock’ again this coming season and get to the 2015 World Champs in Australia. “My 2015 season starts now in November, racing 70.3 Taiwan and a week later in Australia, so I’ll have two races under my belt before the year even gets going. Your five best races count and the top 50 guys qualify for World Champs, and that’s my main goal for 2015. Then in 2016 I want to be on the podium at World Champs!”

FAMILY MAN

Stuart (29) lives in Stellenbosch with wife Beth and their one-year-old son Luke, with second son Seth due to be born this November. There’s a cute story as to how Stuart met Beth: A few years ago, when he was working as a bike mechanic at the BMT shop in Stellies, she brought her bike in for a service. “I actually stole her name and number off the job card, then phoned her and said I’m the guy who wants to take you for a bike ride, and she said yes. She’s a good triathlete and actually did Half Ironmans before me, but she’s put racing on hold while pregnant.”

Very much a family man, Stuart says each year his little family heads up the coast to Knysna in July while his family from the Eastern Cape come from the opposite side to meet midway for the annual Oyster Festival. While there they take part in the now highly competitive Big 5 Challenge, which combines the running, biking, paddling and swimming events in the week-long festival, as well as the Totalsports XTERRA Knysna event (run & bike only), which Stu has won the past few years. Going in as defending Big 5 Champion, Stu won the Featherbed Nature Reserve Trail run to kick-start his title defence this year and never looked back, but had to bend the knee to Dan Hugo in the XTERRA.

“The Big 5 is getting bigger year on year, and I really enjoyed every event I took part in, although it was bittersweet not winning the XTERRA – but it is never bad losing to Dan, and he was superb in XTERRA this year. The whole week in Knysna is a real family getaway and we all take part – my 60-year-old dad is a fanatical runner and this year he also did the Big 5. We ran the half marathon on his birthday, so I called him up on stage during the Big 5 prize-giving and they gave him a standing ovation!”

FARMER TO BE

Looking ahead, Stu says he already has the next phase of his life planned once his competitive days are done. “I will join my dad on the family dairy farm in the Eastern Cape, but I’m really enjoying my sport for now and giving it a good tonk. I love my sport and I love farming, so I’m excited about both – but I’ll never leave the sport, I’ll always be involved in some way.”

Stronger Hammies, Better Runner

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New research indicates that the strength of your quads and hamstrings should be equal in order for you to increase your running economy, allowing

you to go further and faster. 

– BY SEAN FALCONER

Most training programmes recommend some gym work or cross-training for distance runners, to build power, improve balance between muscle groups, and perhaps reduce the chance of injury. Therefore, runners often do a lot of work on their legs in the gym, especially on their quadriceps, hoping that stronger muscles in their thighs will reduce the chances of knee injuries. However, most focus on the quads and neglect their hamstrings, and as a result, many runners have quads that are up to 40% stronger than their hamstrings. And this could be detrimental to their running, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

THE RIGHT RATIO

The study, titled Relationship Between Functional Hamstring-Quadriceps Ratios and Running Economy in Highly Trained and Recreational Female Runners, found that the highly trained runners, who were averaging about 100km a week in training, had a hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio of about 1:1, and significantly higher running economy than the recreational runners, who were doing around 30km a week. Interestingly, the less trained group were actually found to have stronger muscles, but lower running economy, whereas the highly trained runners had weaker muscles but a more balanced ratio of hammie to quad strength, and thus significantly better running economy.

The authors of the study point out that the two muscle groups should ideally work in conjunction with each other during running, so the quads lengthen when the hammies shorten, and vice-versa – and the two muscle groups work most efficiently together when their strength is about the same. As they wrote, “Running performance in long distance events may be related to greater hamstring muscle strength relative to quadriceps strength, and not to absolute muscle strength.”

WORK YOUR HAMMIES

Under Practical Applications, the authors give runners the following advice: “As running is basically a series of horizontal jumps requiring a strong and highly efficient extensor apparatus, we suggest that runners should aim to include hamstring muscle-strengthening exercises that imply horizontal motions. Runners should do exercises that imitate running while they add some resistance or overspeed element. For example, steep hill bouncing or running, fast downhill running, or horizontal bouncing manoeuvres such as repeated single-leg long jumps. These exercises should be combined with more specific strength training that targets the hamstrings.”

A terrific running-specific hamstring strengthening exercise is the hamstring hip lift: Lie on your back with your feet hip width apart and the soles of your feet on a small bench or step. Now push down into the bench with your feet, lifting your hips up high. You will feel your hamstrings working. Do not lift your shoulders or neck off the floor and keep your upper back flat down. Lower the hips back down until your bottom is just off the floor, then push down into the bench again to raise your hips. Do three sets of 15 repetitions, with 45 seconds of rest between sets. 

Once you can do 3 x 20 raises, progress to one-legged hamstring hip lifts on the bench. Start with 3 x 10 and build up to 3 x 20. After that, once you can do the one-leg lifts on the bench, progress to using the Swiss ball instead of the bench or step. Place two feet on the Swiss ball, as you did on the bench, and complete the exercise using the same technique. The instability of the ball automatically makes it harder. Build up to completing 3 x 20 reps of one-leg hamstring hip lifts on the Swiss ball.

From Car Guard to Comrades

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With a can-do attitude and some help from clubmates and friends, car guard Abre Jordaan has managed to earn 12 Two Oceans and 11 Comrades medals, despite not being able to afford to pursue his running passion. 

– BY SEAN FALCONER

For the past 18 years, 46-year-old Abre Jordaan has spent nearly every single day in the Somerset Mall parking lot in Somerset West, come rain or sun, keeping guard over the parked cars. Spending up to seven hours straight on his feet, hoping that the car owners will give him a few Rand to say thanks, he then still finds the energy and motivation to go running. But what most people don’t know is that these car guards are not paid by the mall – they actually pay a daily fee of R28 to ‘hire’ a section of the parking lot, and then rely on tips to make a living. “Many people think we get paid, which means they don’t need to give us anything, so if I can make R150 a day in tips I am happy, I can survive,” says Abre, “but we get no days off, no benefits, and if you’re sick and can’t work, you not only have no income, you lose your spot to somebody else. It’s a hard life.”

Sad Story

Abre’s story began with his mother being hurt in a car accident while pregnant, resulting in him taking a hard knock to the head. “I am normal, but I feel I am a bit slower with some things – but then the difference comes in when I run. That’s the only place I am fast,” he jokes. His father abandoned the family when he was still little, and his mother subsequently remarried and moved to Touwsrivier, while Abre stayed in the Cape to attend Trade School up to standard eight. Having done his military service, Abre worked as a petrol attendant, then did loading work on trucks, and next found himself in Greyton, working in a hotel, where he met a woman, got engaged and had two kids, but the relationship didn’t last, and eventually neither did the job. That saw him end up at Somerset Mall in 1996, living in a nearby caravan park.

He started running in 1997 when he saw a newspaper advert for the Safari Half Marathon. “I entered and did no training, but I finished, got a medal, and was sore for a week!” He went on to run a number of marathons around the three-hour mark, including a PB 2:55 at the Cango Marathon, and then moved up to the ultras in 2002. His best Oceans time is 4:07:38, and his Comrades PB is 7:22:03, with a slowest time of 8:15: 26, so he is no slouch on the road!

Helping Hands

The incredible story behind Abre’s running exploits is that he has been helped by various people along the way, including Marius Claassen of Rola Motors sponsoring two of his trips, while his club has helped several times as well. However, having done 11 Comrades, Abre had decided that his Big C days were over, until recently… “A family I know saw me training and approached me, saying they want to pay for me to go run the 90th Comrades, because it is going to be a special race, and they even want to go with me to support me. It really is incredible, and I am so grateful!”

“I can’t afford new shoes, so the mall sponsored a pair one year for Comrades, as did the Cape Town Market, and my Strand running club also bought me a pair one year. I often use old shoes that other runners no longer want, and just the other day a clubmate arrived at the mall with a brand new pair of the Comrades-branded New Balance shoes for me, because he said they don’t suit his feet. Now I am hiding them away for next year’s Comrades.”

Hop, Skip and a Gold!

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Having competed on the world stage for more than a decade and brought home 20 major medals, long jump and triple-jump specialist Godfrey Khotso Mokoena has been in golden, record-breaking form in recent months, and once again has his sights set on Olympic glory in 2016.

– BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER

Modern Athlete:It’s been quite the year for you, winning gold in the triple jump at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the African Champs in Marrakech, jumping a massive 17.35m to break your own SA triple jump record at the Continental Cup, and you also secured African Champs silver in the long jump. You seem to be in the groove…

Khotso:I’m going in the right direction! The last time I did well on the world stage was back in 2010, and last year at World Champs in Russia, I came seventh in the long jump finals, and struggled to get amongst the best. Then at the end of last year, I changed coaches and now work with Emmarie Fouche, and after nine years of giving triple jump a break, we thought we’d give it a shot. Now, everything is falling into place and we’re slowly building towards Rio 2016. It’s down to my willingness to work hard and I’ve brought my experience to training. Every time I go out now, it’s a new-look me.

Emmarie’s programme works for me. My body is able to accept it because it’s catered for me. It’s an all-round programme with running on the track, pool sessions, Pilates and strength work in the gym. Jumping in the pit only comes near the end part of a season, where you focus on technique. A lot of people don’t realise the importance of balancing your running and strength work. You can’t be too big, because you can’t extend your knees and your body posture and jump is affected.

MA:I believe you were originally a high jumper?

Khotso:Yes! I was pretty good at school, in between cross-country, running and shot put. I didn’t even try long jump back then. In 2001, I represented South Africa at the World Youth Champs, finishing fifth in the high jump. A year later, it was long jump, which was an easy transition for me, and in 2002 I broke the SA Youth Record. Triple jump was natural to turn to a year later, and the first time I competed, I broke the SA Junior Record, then added a World Junior Champs title in 2004.

MA:Did you feel like you had something to prove, having been off the triple jump scene for so long?

Khotso:Finding that spirit for big competition is something I wanted again. As an athlete, you have to stand up on the world stage and fight. Only that will elevate you to the next level. The public care about medals, but many don’t know how many hours go into getting ready to compete – for the Olympics, we work continuously for years for just two nights of competition.

MA: And you have to juggle this hard work with being a father to your one-year-old son. Does the support from family and friends make it easier?

Khotso:Since I began competing and travelling, my family have been there – win or lose, when there is any spare time, I’m playing daddy to my boy.

MA:Most importantly, can you grab a medal in 2016?

Khotso:Definitely! I’m not young anymore, but I’m still improving, so why not take that chance to get to the highest level?

 

Khotso’s Remarkable

Medal Haul

Olympic Games

2008

Silver

LJ *

World Champs

2009

Silver

LJ

World Indoor Champs

2008

Gold

LJ

 

2010

Silver

LJ

World Athletics Final

2007

Bronze

LJ

 

2009

Bronze

LJ

Commonwealth Games

2006

Silver

TJ

 

2014

Gold

TJ

World Junior Champs

2004

Gold & Silver

TJ & LJ

African Champs

2006

Silver (2)

LJ & TJ

 

2010

Gold

LJ

 

2014

Gold& Silver

TJ & LJ

All-Africa Games

2003

Silver & Bronze

TJ & LJ

 

2007

Bronze

LJ

Afro-Asian Games

2003

Bronze (2)

LJ & TJ

* LJ = Long Jump, TJ = Triple Jump

 

In The Lead

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Having represented South Africa in both gymnastics and triathlon, Dominique D’Oliveira has now turned her focus to obstacle course racing, and with a number of wins and podium finishes already under her belt, she’s well on her way to more sporting success.
– BY SEAN FALCONER

Arriving at the tough Tarzan rope swing obstacle with about one kay to go in the sixth elite Black Ops race of the Jeep Warrior Series in Johannesburg in September, a muddy Dominique took a second to catch her breath as she waited her turn, watching as the girls ahead of her lost their grip or ran out of strength and fell off the ropes. Carla van Huysteen had arrived at the obstacle first, nearly 15 minutes clear of second-placed Hanneke Dannhauser, with Jetaime Ribbink and Dominique a few minutes further back, but neither Carla nor Hanneke could get past the ropes.

As they walked back to try yet again, Dominique wiped her hands, took hold of the first rope and went for it, sailing right through on her first attempt, not stopping to worry about the fact that she cracked a few ribs falling off this same obstacle at the Warrior Nationals in November. While the other elite girls could just watch, she headed for the finish, crossing the line with what has become her trademark leap for joy and vivacious smile, to claim her second Warrior race title – and it took another 40 minutes for the second-placed woman to finish!

“They always leave the hardest obstacles for the end at Warrior, so my strategy in the race is to hold back in the middle and save my energy for the end,” says Dominique. “In Warrior, you keep trying to get past an obstacle, or you can do burpees instead and move on, but then you don’t get an official finish and don’t qualify for prize money. The problem is, the more you try an obstacle, the more you get fatigued. I actually finished and went back to go cheer the other girls on, but Carla and Jetaime just couldn’t do it, and Hanneke eventually did it after about 20 tries, despite falling awkwardly and breaking her ankle!”

Upper Body Strength

Dominique (30), who works as a personal trainer in the Durbanville area of the Cape, did her first obstacle race at the 2012 Impi Challenge in Stellenbosch, but just for fun. Then in 2013 she did the Impi again and another smaller obstacle race, where she heard about the Warrior series, so she entered the Cape Town leg of Warrior and won it, then went to the Nationals in Joburg. After recovering from her rib injury and completing a second 70.3 Ironman, she finished third in the first Impi Cape Town of 2014, picked up second and third positions in Warriors in Joburg and Ballito, won the next Joburg Warrior, and got third in the Cape Town leg in October (where she took it easy due to not having recovered fully from a flu bug).

One of the reasons Dominique has taken so quickly to obstacle racing is her upper body strength, honed by 14 years of competitive gymnastics. She competed for SA at the World Champs in Belgium as well as competitions in Italy, Germany, Tunisia, Malaysia and Namibia, but in 2002, ranked number one in the country, she faced Commonwealth Games disappointment. “Not long before the Games, some or other committee decided that they didn’t want to send a female team, because they didn’t think we would medal. Typical South African mentality, they just flushed people’s sporting dreams down the drain… but I didn’t let it stop me, I carried on competing and then got a scholarship to go study in the US.”

That saw Dominique earn a B.Sc in Criminology and Psychology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City while competing on the highly competitive NCAA circuit, alongside elite gymnasts from all over the world. While there she also studied personal training, and not long after getting back to SA, she started working part time at Virgin Active to save up to pursue her newfound passion: “A friend of mine in the US took me up in a little two-man plane and let me take the controls for a while, and I just fell in love with it. So when I got back in 2007, I decided I wanted to become a pilot, but when I realised how long it would take for me to get my commercial licence, I changed my mind, because I knew it would consume my life just as gymnastics had. Also, I was enjoying the personal training, because it felt like it was where I was supposed to be. I still want to do my private pilot’s licence one day, but career-wise I have a passion for helping people and being in a sporty, health and wellness field.”

Multisport Talent

Another passion Dominique began developing while in the USA was for triathlon, when a friend dared her to do a sprint triathlon. “I had never done any kind of endurance event in my life, and my longest runs had been 60m down the vault runway, so I nearly died just trying to run one kilometre! But I borrowed a mountain bike to train on, rented a wetsuit and a road bike for the race, and ended up coming third in my age group, so I thought, hey, I can do this.”

“When I moved back to SA, I was still trying to figure out what to do with my life and was actually thinking about trying pole vault, because I had heard that gymnasts make good vaulters, but a couple of friends were doing triathlon, so I did some more sprint tri’s. I moved up to my first Olympic distance tri in 2010, then the first of my two 70.3s in 2013. I think I’ve come a long way with the endurance side of things, even though I don’t think my body is naturally built for running, so this year I have really worked hard on doing base mileage.”

Going Longer

That saw her line up alongside friend Natalia Ongers at the three-day ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun in March. “I had never run that far before, so for me it was more a mental thing to get through the distance. I liked that we had no expectations, just wanted to have fun and get through each day, so we were pretty stoked to finish 10th while having such a jol, and I want to do it again next year.” Dominique’s bucket list also still includes the full Ironman, “to tick it off the list,” and the Comrades someday as well, but she is in no hurry, because right now obstacle racing is her focus.

“It really is so much fun, because it challenges my whole body, and my mind, and reminds me of the challenge gymnastics gave me. And now that I have found that I am quite good at it, I want to give it a good go. That said, I’m kind of in limbo between triathlon and obstacle racing, because I’ve still got an entry for 70.3 next year, so when obstacle racing is done for the year, I need to shift focus back to tri. My original goal was to try and podium in my age group at 70.3, and I would love to get to the 70.3 World Champs, but with the success in obstacles and my change of focus, I have to be realistic. On the other hand, if I do well in the Warrior series next year, I could get to the Obstacle Racing World Champs in the USA. Now that would be awesome!”

2014 Spirit of Comrades Awards

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The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) rewarded some amazing individuals for showcasing the spirit of Comrades at its annual awards gala in Durban on Friday, 24 October 2014. The CATHSSETA Spirit of Comrades awards gala honours select individuals for their very human attributes of selflessness, dedication, perseverance and Ubuntu; combined with their love for The Ultimate Human Race.

The prestigious awards gala has been a defining feature of the CMA since 1996. The Spirit of Comrades recipients were presented with a one-ounce, 24 carat gold medallion, courtesy of CATHSSETA (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality & Sports Sector Education & Training Authority) as well as a very deserving accolade.

The awardees are nominated by CMA members, Comrades Marathon runners and the general public; and are subject to the discretion of the CMA Board. The awards criteria place special emphasis on Comrades Marathon winners, legends, volunteers and otherwise ordinary heroes and heroines, who through individual acts of service, sacrifice, courage or perseverance, either in a single race or over a period of time, exhibit the noble qualities associated with The Ultimate Human Race.

The first Spirit of Comrades awardee was Fiona Scholtz. Fiona is a proud Comrades Green Number runner who has run The Ultimate Human Race 18 times. Three years ago, Fiona was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease which necessitated numerous operations, culminating in major surgery in November last year to remove all affected parts of her intestines. Undeterred, Fiona started her training within weeks of the surgery and completed her 18th Comrades run in 10:42:44. Fiona is lauded for her cheerfulness and encouragement of other runners.

Debbie Schoeman was the second recipient. She has been described as the most selfless person; having sacrificed her 2014 Comrades medal to help another runner who had collapsed 300m before the finish line due to a heart attack. Debbie helped to resuscitate him. By the time he had regained consciousness, Debbie realized that she had missed the cut-off time by 9 minutes. She didn’t mind though thanks to her belief that saving someone’s life is more important than finishing a race.

The final recipients was a husband-wife pair, Joy and Bernard Murphy, who have been attending and supporting the Comrades Marathon for 46 years. For nearly half a century, this amazing couple has only missed the Comrades Marathon once, when Joy had to be hospitalized in 2012. They have not run the race but passionately support it with all they’ve got. Coming from Springs, they are known to support every runner from the Springs Striders and Midrand Striders running clubs as well as just about every other Comrades runner. They can usually be seen at the 26km-to-go marker board where they stock a host of refreshments for the runners. Joy and Bernard will turn 77 and 81 years old respectively this year and their love for Comrades has been described as totally phenomenal.

Another facet of the glitzy evening is the CMA’s Journalist of the Year Award. This is a sincere acknowledgement and appreciation of the important and enduring work of the media and rewards the journalist who has shown a year –long interest in the Comrades Marathon; and in that spirit has generated the most articles on the 2014 Ultimate Human Race. Jacobus Venter was honoured as the top reporter for this year’s race and received a cash reward and due recognition for the great coverage.

The CMA is exceedingly proud and passionate about its charity initiative Amabeadbeadi, which benefits 6 officially recognised charities.  The Amabeadibeadi Top Donor Award is presented to the person who has raised the most funds for the CMA’s Amabeadibeadi charities for the 2014 Comrades Marathon. Blake Dyason claimed the title of the 2014 Amabeadibeadi Top Donor.

The CMA is also mindful of the efforts given off by individuals and organizations who have contributed in a significant way to the Comrades Marathon Association over the years. Due recognition and appreciation was accorded to these do-gooders for their outstanding service or for going beyond the call of duty in adding value to the Comrades Marathon via the CMA’s Certificate of Appreciation. Outgoing major sponsor CATHSSETA was a recipient of this token of appreciation as well as Craig Eldridge for his many years of IT support and backup.  

Over the years, the CMA has also recognized key role-players in the Comrades Marathon family. Six deeply deserving individuals were presented in this regard with a CMA Life Membership Award. A member who has rendered outstanding meritorious service to the race shall be eligible for Life Membership of the CMA. This is an acknowledgement and recognition of services rendered to the CMA over a period of time.

CMA Life Membership awards were presented to:

Celi Makhoba who has served on the Executive Committee and the CMA Board for 6 years.  He has also served as Convener of the Technical Portfolio for 15 years.

Arnie Glasspoole who has driven the Comrades sweep vehicle for 12 years. He has also assisted with Finish Procedure for 12 years as well as assisting with the Green Number Club for 12 years. He has run the Comrades Marathon 17 times.

Eileen Hall who has been a member of the CMA’s CSI initiative, the Greater Edendale Race for 7 years. She is also the Green Number Club Convener and has been running this portfolio for 5 years. She has also served on the CMA’s Board for two years and has run 10 Comrades Marathons. 

Isaac Ngwenya who has served on the Executive Committee for 4 years. He was the CMA Vice Chairman for 2 years and Convener for the Community Marshals for 10 years. He has been the Convener for the Risk & Safety portfolio for 6 years and has run 15 Comrades.

Paula Dixon who has served as the convener for the CMA’s Catering portfolio for 15 years.

Dudley St John Ward who has served as Finish Procedure Convener for 15 years.

The CMA Honours with Life Membership Award was presented to CMA Chairman, Macdonald Chitja for particularly outstanding meritorious service to the race and for contributing outstanding leadership to CMA. He has served on the Race Organising Committee since 1999, having started volunteering with the Pietermaritzburg Registration portfolio.

He was then co-opted onto the CMA Executive Committee in 2000. Since then, he has been a member of the CMA Board and also held the Vice-Chairman position on several occasions.

Over the years, Chitja has held various other portfolios, including being the convener & Chairman of the CMA Transformation Committee. He was also responsible for drafting the current CMA Transformation Policy. Further to that, he also chaired the CMA’s CSI committee for several years as well as well as serving on the Legal & Constitution Committee.

Having a passion for the CMA’s corporate social investment initiatives, Chitja has been the Co-convener of the Edendale Race since its inception in 2007 and will oversee the eight running of this community initiative.

Add to that, the fact that he is a proud member of the Green Number Club and has finished the Comrades Marathon 16 times.

Titus the Titan

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In April 1974, a 32-year-old Titus Mamabolo from GaMolepo in Limpopo became the first black athlete to win an ‘open’ national title in Apartheid-era South Africa when he won the 5000m by outrunning pre-race favourite, Springbok Ewald Bonzet. In later years, he went on to become a record-breaking marathon athlete as well.– BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER

MA: It’s been 40 years since that epic tussle with Ewald Bonzet, which came just a month after you won the Segregated Championships 5000m title as well. What was it like having a victory like that under your belt?

Titus:Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria had around 5000 people coming to watch and a lot of the crowd were behind me! That was South African athletics those days. I always knew it was going to be tough because back then the competition was strong.

Before the 5000m event, I thought I would feed off the crowd and it helped me to the finish.

MA: Where did your love of running come from?

Titus:I started running in Standard 6 in GaMolepo, but it really started when I was 15. After school, I moved to Pretoria to look for a job and started taking the sport a little more seriously, and in 1963 I joined a running club in Mamelodi. I remember joining the team one weekend for this one-mile race and I was runner-up to Edward Setshedi. Everyone was so surprised at how well I did.

After that, I represented Northern Transvaal in Welkom and did quite well. I was just doing it for fun, but Edward said I should train harder. Then it just went quickly – racing on track, cross-country and then travelling overseas on 15 occasions for South Africa. I remember visiting West Germany, Italy, North America and Brazil. There was so much support for us black athletes!

MA: Then in 1976, at your peak, you called it a day on the track. Why?

Titus:Honestly, I was tired. Three times a year, we’d be off travelling overseas and there was nothing else to prove. So my last track event was in Welkom in ’76 and I won it with the crowd behind me again. Then it was a 10-year layoff from the sport, until in 1985, I decided to look at taking on marathons.

MA: And it clicked! In 1991, you broke the SA masters’ record in Durban – and your record still stands today. That must have been something…

Titus:It was one of my greatest moments. I asked someone what the masters’ record was and it was 2:19.40, and I told everyone I’d break it. I finished in 2:19.29. It was just after I turned 50, too, so it was very special. I was in very good form back then, but people were surprised that I was that quick. The transition was easy from the track to the longer distances. My first few marathon attempts were slow, but then it improved. I think when I came back in 1985, I wanted a new challenge.

MA: Your grandson Ludwick seems to have taken after you with stellar performances in the last few years, especially his Comrades Marathon win in 2012. Do you lend him any advice?

Titus:He is such a talent and it’s so good for South Africa. I tell him to take it easy and keep focused. He had that mindset when he won Comrades. The talent has been passed down. My mother and uncle used to run well and we are all hard workers. I used to train everyday in my peak and people thought I was crazy, but I wanted to be the best!

MA: In 2001, you finally retired from competition. What are you doing today?

Titus:Running will never leave me, so I’m focused on development. In Lebowakgomo, where I live in Limpopo now, I’ve been training athletes from ages 10 to 17 for three years. As a coach, I tell them to stay away from drugs and alcohol so they can stay focused to make a future for themselves. Now we’re looking for sponsors so the young athletes can travel to compete more.