Asijiki - No turning back!
Sunday, 10 June 2018, 20 000 runners will gather in the early hours of the morning in
Pietermaritzburg for the start of the Bonitas Comrades Marathon.
For those who have entered and qualified for South
Africa’s most prestigious ultra-marathon, it will be the
culmination of long hours on the road training for this
big day. Once that gun is fired they will need strength,
determination and guts to tackle the 89km ‘down-run’ to
Durban to cross the finish line before the cut-off time at
5.30pm. The Comrades is a race that is known for pushing
athletes to their limit, its camaraderie and contribution
to charity.
Major sponsor, Bonitas Medical Fund is again
part of the supporting team
Bonitas will ensure that pre-race, on the day and
post-race assistance and guidance is given to the athletes
striving to achieve their goals. Bonitas has been part of
the Comrades ‘team’ for over a decade and an integral
part of the medical aid scheme’s sponsorship includes
the co-ordination and hosting of the countrywide Novice
and Women’s seminars as well as the ‘general training’
Comrades roadshows.
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These interactive seminars include tips and advice on
training, rest, nutrition, hydration and pacing. Athletes
are able to hear from, talk to and ask questions of a panel
of experts from fields as diverse as sport psychology,
medicine and dietetics. Official Comrades coach, Lindsey
Parry, will also be on hand to provide invaluable advice
about the route, the psychology of the race and what to
expect at the start and finish.
Celebrating ordinary people doing extraordinary
things
‘Completing a Comrades Marathon is an achievement and
we support and champion these athletes,’ says Gerhard
van Emmenis, Principal Officer of Bonitas. ‘As a South
African company that promotes quality healthcare the
fit with this ultra-marathon is a good one. It gives us the
opportunity to talk about making better wellness and
lifestyle choices and to encourage people to pursue and
achieve their goals.’
B-Living Issue 1, 2018