While top runners will be battling it out for first prize in today’s Comrades Marathon, Peteni Kuzwayo, who will be tackling the 89km race for the 11th time will be out to just enjoy himself.
He previously suffered from asthma and carried a lot of weight. But participating in the ultimate human race has changed his life and health.
“I see the journey to Comrades and race day itself as a parallel to life and finding fulfilment. Consistency, planning, being patient with yourself, overcoming physical, mental or emotional highs and lows,” said Kuzwayo.
More than 20 000 runners from SA, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, England, Canada and Russia, among others, are expected to grace the 97th edition of the famous and Africa’s richest marathon.
In addition to the R50 000 hot spot prize money available to the first man and woman to make it through the Cell C Hot Spot in Cato Ridge, about 56.6km into the race, and also finish the race, there are many other cash prizes, while this year’s purse has been increased by a staggering R1.3-million to a total of just over R4-million.
A man who knows not just a thing or two but 10 about participating in the comrade’s marathon is Peteni Kuzwayo, who is Team Vitality club manager. But for him there’s much more to participating in the race than the prize money.
“I am running my 11th Comrades this year and what has driven me as a runner since I started, has been taking away from health and lifestyle changes to inspiring and motivating others through the sport of road running,” said Kuzwayo.
“The shift from me to others has played a massive role in ensuring I keep going year after year. Importantly, I still get the personal benefits although my focus has shifted to others. And this is also aligned with our motto in Team Vitality that ‘No one gets left behind’.
“Teamwork and spirit, social cohesion, support from family, friends, and strangers on race day – the list is endless. And Comrades encapsulates all of these elements that make you realise what an amazing sporting code road running can be.”
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