UAC RUNNER : No:7837
COMMITTEE MEMBER 2005
ASSIST ROAD CAPTAIN 2006
AND ROAD CAPTAIN 2006/07
Many moons ago, way back in the 80's I used to work part-time at the local cafe. Time was tight seeing that I have to get home from school, get changed and run off to start my 4pm to 7pm shift. The only way to get there on time was to run to work and run back home in the dark.
That's when the love for running started. With a pair of North Star takkies, I used to train regularly but never run a single club run. After I moved to Empangeni I used to run on my own until I and decided to join a club for company and I'm glad that I joined uMhlathuze AC.
I started running time trials at UAC for a while when some kind hearted club members encouraged me to train with them, the likes of Jan Badenhorst, Ronnie Heathcote and a few others.
My first club run was in 2003 in UAC colours and since then there was no stopping. I ran my fist 21kms in Empangeni and a few more in Richards Bay and went on to run my first marathon ,the Postnet 42km where unknown to my that I actually qualified for the comrades. Back at Durban that same night, I was encouraged by family members to try the comrades which was a joke to me. With a little more training and the thought of Comrades in my mind I went on the run the Indian Ocean 42km marathon and thereafter decided that I will try the Comrades marathon.
That year I completed the comrades in 10hrs 48mins. The following year did not look better as I got sick 30kms out of PMB and almost bailed out of the run. However I completed the run in 11hrs 15min with lots of encouragement from other runners. Comrades 2006 was thus far the best completing the run in 9hrs 55mins.
Highlights of my running days at UAC was the 3 Comrades completed, a few ultra marathons, a number a marathons and half marathons all around KZN, being on the seconding team for Ryza Sadler for the 2006 Midlands 100miler, and the challenge of being part of the UAC committee for the past 2 years.
Flashback from the years gone by and one that really stands out and gave me great pleasure is Indian Ocean 2005, the memorable one. I hitched a lift with fellow club member, Brad Sander, at the back of the bakkie , I met a unknown club member , Dalene, who needed to qualify for her first comrades and it was the last qualifying run of the season. We started the 42km run together and 18kms into the run, she was ready to quit the race. With a few words of encouragement we continued to drag along. Approximately 38kms into the run, she was ready to quit again and all I said was "Can you see the Start Banner in front of you on June 16th". And then we crossed the finish line with 5 seconds to spare.
Further plans are to complete 10 comrades, to complete at least one triple challenge ie Comrades, the longest day and the 100miler and to complete a few 1000km challenges and to assist and support the club and the committee.
Finally a big "thank you" to all those UAC members for all the assistance and guidance on and off the road.
