These fit feet are ready for Comrades

A GOOD diet, mental preparedness, cool temperatures and, of course, oodles of stamina – these are the ingredients needed for a successful Comrades Marathon.

That’s according to Eastern Cape club road runners who are all set to take on the 89th annual event tomorrow – the world’s largest ultra-marathon – starting at 5.30am from Pietermaritzburg for a “down race” to Durban over a  distance of 89.28km.

Fourth time Comrades runner Jerome May, 47, from Salsoneville, said he was both nervous and excited for this year’s down race. “No matter how well you prepare, anything can happen on the day of the race."

Last year saw the highest rate of race drop-outs due to the extremely hot temperatures.

“The trick of completing the Comrades is to make sure you are mentally just as fit as you are physically. You need mental fitness most when you hit something between 60km and 70 km,” May said.

For 27-year-old Nicola Craig from St George’s Park, running the Comrades is a social event on her calendar.

“I’m originally from Durban so I always look forward to seeing and talking to my friends and family cheering for me while I’m running. “But the social catching up doesn’t make the race any less tough. We had  quite a struggle with the temperature over 30 degrees last year, but I hope  this year’s weather will play in our favour.”

Another excited PE runner, Shaun Roberts, 35, from Summerstrand, said the key to running the strenuous race successfully was a combination of fitness and a balanced diet.

South Africa’s Comrades Marathon was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest ultra-marathon after drawing 23568 entries in 2010, with 13343 runners finishing the race before the 12-hour cut-off time. A total of 21090 entries were received this year,  making it the second-biggest entry count in the history of the event. - Alvene du Plessis