3 days ago
Nontobeko sets Comrades on fire
Nontobeko Dlamini-Mafisa demonstrated true resilience when she completed this year's Comrades Marathon, finishing with remarkable results.
• Also read: Local hero completes his first Comrades
She was inspired by her father, a former Comrades runner, and has drawn motivation from a supportive group of people who encouraged her to keep running. This year marked her second Comrades, and her goal was to earn the coveted back-to-back medal.
The Comrades is a race that showcases real resilience. It's proof that nothing is impossible,' she said.
She began training in February, but the lead-up to the race was far from smooth. Nontobeko had been battling a persistent hamstring and glute injury, along with shin splints. In May, her hamstring flared up again, and she spent the entire month focused on rehabilitation.
In addition to injuries, she also struggled with a severe chest infection. Despite these challenges, her race day went smoothly, and she crossed the finish line in 11:44:17.
'There are many moments during the Comrades when your body is simply too tired and wants to give up. That's when you need to remind yourself of your 'why'. For me, it was the goal of earning my back-to-back medal and making my family proud. I'm proud that, despite all the setbacks during training, I never gave up. I made it to the start line – and I made it to the finish line,' she said.
Nontobeko offered advice to aspiring Comrades athletes:
'I would recommend they seek professional support, such as from a biokineticist or physiotherapist, so they can lay a solid foundation and prepare their bodies properly. The last thing you want is to get injured during training,' she concluded.
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