COMRADES STORIES
“I am a wife and a mom to two beautiful kids, Simphiwe (8) and Lonwabo (2). Being a runner has definitely added so much value to my life and that of my family.
“I could not have asked for a better, more loving and more understanding family. They support me on my runs and make life more meaningful.
“My running journey started in 1996 while I was on a mission to lose weight. I soon got hooked.
“I took a big leap in 2004 to run my first Comrades with my sister Lebogang Mokoana (Green No 53542), clocking in a time of 11:54:25.
“I managed to start 10 Comrades Marathons but have only completed eight so far. I remember not making the cut-off at Polly Shortts in 2013 and feeling so sad. At the time I thought I was doing this not just for myself, but for my family too. I felt bad that I was letting them down, but such is Comrades!
“With this most famous of road-running races, you learn lessons every time you take on the Comrades Marathon. It is a long road to conquer and a beautiful journey, with so many people of every race creed and culture sharing this amazing trip with you!
“I have not run this Ultimate Human Race since 2015. At the age of 40, I’m looking forward to being one of the runners standing on the start line of the 2019 Comrades Marathon and conquering Polly Shortts to complete my prized Comrades Number 9.
“My children are looking forward to me bringing home my next Comrades medal.”
“I started running at the age of 27 after my father, Henke Ackermann, introduced my sister, Stephanie Smith to running. He took her for her first 5km run when she was in her early twenties.
“I saw how my sister progressed and how much fun they were having while training. I slowly started to train under my father’s guidance. It was memorable and addictive!
“My father did his eighth Comrades Marathon in 2017 and his experience on the road has been invaluable to my sister and I. He did his first Comrades Marathon in 1989, took a 20-year break and then ran again from 2009.
“In 2012, I had decided to do my first marathon (42 km). In February 2012, I ran the Buffs Marathon in East London and qualified for the Comrades Marathon.
“I managed to get a substitution entry for the Comrades and was quickly on my father’s training programme to do my first Comrades. It was long hours on the road, where we discussed life and everything else. It was special - the build-up and training towards the Comrades Marathon is very much a part of the actual day.
“My first Comrades Marathon was a very difficult down run and my knees hurt, but my father carefully guided, motivated and distracted me