UKZN Hosts Pasta Luncheon for Comrades Participants

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UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division (CRD) hosted a Pasta Luncheon for all staff and students registered to take place in this year’s Comrades Marathon.

Known as the “Ultimate Human Race”, the Comrades took place on Sunday, 28 August 2022, with a down run of 89km starting from Pietermaritzburg.

In her welcome address, Ms Normah Zondo, CRD Executive Director, said the University is proud to have many (staff and students) participating in the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon. Reflecting on the history of the race - which celebrated its centenary last year - Zondo said it has evolved to celebrate the human spirit, endurance, diversity, charity and triumph against adversity.

Zondo noted the devastation caused by COVID-19, which led to the marathon being cancelled and its awaited return this year. She said: ‘As UKZN, we are fully behind you, cheering you on and making sure you have all the support you need. We hope that such support, coupled with your preparedness and determination, will spur you on during the race, ensuring you get to the finish line. We are proud of you and wish you all the best. Fly the UKZN flag high! We look forward to seeing you on our screens!’

Sharing some of the marathon’s traditions, Mr Steve Camp, UKZN Foundation acting Executive Director and director of proceedings at the event, said the Comrades Marathon keeps people coming back because of its rich history, traditions, heritage and culture. Having run the marathon 10 times himself, Camp co-authored In Your Stride: 100 Years of the Comrades Marathon, a book which looks at the history of the Comrades Marathon as South Africa’s greatest ultramarathon.

UKZN staffer and veteran Comrades Marathon runner, Mr Tony Singarum, who has run the race 23 times and attained his own personal race number 25356 - which is given to runners after their 10^th race - highlighted the importance of the marathon as the first after COVID-19 caused mass devastation across the globe. Thanking CRD for always supporting this initiative, he said the Comrades Marathon is about inspiring others to join in and be part of the starting line.

Singarum urged runners to take care of themselves and plan appropriately. He ran over the dos of participating in the race, urging runners to remember to pack plasters, Vaseline and supplements in their pouch; charge digital devices such as watches; eat a full breakfast on race day to preserve one’s energy; hydrate on the road; know where to find parking for your family after the race, and check the weather forecast and pack necessary supplies such as caps or an extra vest or t-shirt.

He warned runners against running in anything new on the day, such as shoes and shorts; trying new foods on race day to avoid diarrhea and dehydration; running if you are not feeling well; and going to the incorrect seed area.

Encouraging runners to hold back and reserve their energy for the last 30km, Singarum said, ‘if you run too hard in the beginning, you will pay for it in the end.’ He also implored runners to run their own race, walk when needed, enjoy the experience and most importantly, remember to smile for the cameras!

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Financial Manager and Comrades Marathon runner, Mr Mandla Mdhluli, gave runners some tips on race preparations. He shared his journey as a runner and his audacious plan of running five marathons in five consecutive weeks all around the world earlier this year. 

Mdhluli said it was important to stick to your race plan, strategy and pace on the day. Evaluating a detailed graph with cut-off times for each point, he informed runners of a reasonable time to get to their points in order to finish on time. Noting how a fade factor comes into play when running, he said runners must be aware that their running time decreases the longer they run.

He also highlighted how the “down run” is filled with steep inclines along the way. Mdhluli encouraged runners to conserve their energy for hills and not to waste time on the trail by stopping to spend time with family or taking unnecessary breaks. As an experienced pace-setter who leads runners and sets their pace along the way, he said it was important for runners to determine their finish time according to their abilities.

In her closing remarks, Ms Xoliswa Zulu, University Relations Director, said she hoped that Singarum and Mdhluli had inspired the runners to do their absolute best on race day. Reflecting on her memories of the Comrades Marathon while growing up, she said she was even more excited to watch the marathon with some technical know-how, courtesy of the speakers.

Thanking the speakers, she wished all of the participating runners well as they fly the UKZN flag high.

All 20 UKZN staff members who ran in their University colours on the day finished the race. ‘We appreciate the University’s support in organising the Pasta Luncheon, which added to our determination as staff in finishing the race,’ Singarum said.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Albert Hirasen