Congratulations to the UKZN Athletics Club

The UKZN Athletics Club recently competed with the world’s best runners in the Old Mutual Two Oceans in Cape Town. The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is a 56 km race and this year’s race remained on the traditional route that is via Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay and Constantia Nek. Globally the Two Oceans Marathon is one of the most intense marathons and attracts about 27 000 athletes from all over the world.

For the UKZN team, this was great preparation for the upcoming Comrades Marathon and it was not a race to compete for the first place but to test their strength as a team. To successfully complete the race, the team indicated that it required a great deal of commitment, discipline and consistency on their part. These three pillars are what kept everyone in the team focused and strong both mentally and physically for the race.

This year was also the year of greatness for Mr Tony Singarum who was awarded a blue number for finishing his 10th Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and officially being anointed as a Two Oceans Legend. This achievement is a motivation and a challenge to all the UKZN staff, students and other stakeholders to strive and inspire greatness. Team leader Sanele Mbambo said, finishing the Two Oceans Marathon was a lifetime experience and he hoped to inspire other people interested in long distance running.

The UKZN team (Durban and Pietermaritzburg) adhered to guidelines and suggested programmes from their trainers. The team engages in extensive long runs where there is gravel roads and hills running about 35 km-40 km to build mileage. For anyone interested, kindly visit the sports offices at any of the University campuses.

By Nokubonga Nomasiko Jele

Source University of KwaZulu-Natal