From Duduza to Durban: Local runners chase glory in the Comrades Marathon  

Duduza – Amateur members of the Duduza Athletics Club are preparing to take on the Ultimate Human Race, inspired by legends. Solly Mamashela (37) is about to embark on a journey of a lifetime as he takes on his first Comrades Marathon.

“I started running in 2018 after I retired from playing soccer. I was inspired by those who have gone before me, like Top Runner.

“I think of the race as a way to test my fitness. I am going there to finish the race, nothing else. I am not going to compete with anyone,” he said.

He added that he is still learning and values what others have already taught him. Vusi ‘Top Runner’ Nhlapo (71) admits that he is addicted to road running as he looks forward to his 27th Comrades Marathon.

“I ran my first Comrades in 1994. I intend to finish with a bronze medal,” said Nhlapo.

He would have to finish the 89km race in between 10:00 and 10:59.

“Sport is addictive. If it were up to me, I would be retired. But I cannot stop running,” he said.

He explained that he does experience some physical pain while running, but he has taught himself to embrace the pain because it is part of the race. Nhlapo also believes that staying active keeps him physically healthy.

“Even when I have a headache, I can run for 10km. By the time I finish the run, the headache would be gone,” he added.

Vusimuzi Nhlapo (49) said his uncle, Top Runner, was his inspiration.

“The whole family would sit in front of the TV to watch the Comrades because my uncle would participate.

“Eventually, I told him that I was willing to try running and find out if I would enjoy it. He told me to my first 10km race in Johannesburg 1998, and I have not looked back since.”

Vusimuzi said the race challenged him to do better because he saw runners who were much older than he achieved better results than he did.

“It took a lot of convincing for me to sign up for the Comrades. I heard all the stories about how physically challenging it was to run such a long distance. And I was terrified,” he explained.

Vusimuzi has qualified to run his third Comrades Marathon in 2025. He agrees that sport does have a positive addiction.

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He finished his last Comrades at 09:17, and he went back to finish before that time. William ‘Undertaker’ Mashiyane (57) will have to sit this one out because of an injury.

“I got into running unconventionally,” he said.

The local businessman was injured in a shooting that left him almost paralyzed.

“I was in hospital for close to six months. While I was in recovery, I had to attend physiotherapy. When I was discharged, the doctors advised me to find a sport to keep me active,” he explained.

The undertaker said his whole left side was frail.

“Once I was home, I started walking, and eventually, I started running. And that is how I met Top Runner and the other guys.

“I knew nothing about races. They convinced me to go to the Comrades,” he added.

He participated in his first Comrades Marathon in 2002.

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