The 97th Comrades marathon, an annual ultra-marathon stretching between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, drew more than 20 000 competitors from across the globe this year.
A small percentage of the participants in this year’s up-run which was won by South Africa’s Gerda Steyn and Dutch athlete Piet Wersma (5 hours and 25 minutes) was made up of local runners from the Overberg. Steyn’s third Comrades victory was made even sweeter by the fact that she smashed her previous record of 5:58:53 and completed the 85,91 km ultra race in 5:49:46.
Altogether 16 runners of the Whalers Athletics Club completed the race.
Marelie Davel was the first Whaler to cross the finish line in a time of 08:54:10.
All five runners of the Hangklip Athletics Club who participated in the marathon brought home medals. The club congratulated Famke Boonzaaier who received a Bill Rowan medal after finishing the race in less than nine hours. She also got to meet race winner Gerda Steyn.
Christo Vlotman of the Whalers, who completed his fourth Comrades marathon, described the atmosphere as “amazing”. He added: “The spirit of the supporters really drives you on.”
Vlotman achieved a personal best of nine hours and 50 minutes, earning him a Robert Mtshali medal. His team mates Johann Kotzè (9h41) and Charles Malan (9h55) also finished the race in under 10 hours.
