SUB-10:00 – SBUSISO MLANGENI FINISHING TIME : 9:57:35 5th Comrades finish 2nd Comrades as Pacesetter
“ Yanyuka lendlela ya nyamezelwa ,” and “ sebenza wenaaaa , bereka wenaaaa !” I hope I didn ' t cost the elite runners their prizes . Thank you , leadership , for entrusting me with this role , and stay blessed . – Sbusiso Mlangeni
SUB -11:00 – JEFF RAMOKOKA FINISHING TIME : 10:59:00 22nd Comrades finish 6th Comrades as Pacesetter
I started pacing at Comrades in 2015 and I ’ ve always enjoyed it . What motivates me and keeps me going is the feedback I get from fellow runners , and that keeps me pushing to get to the finish lane . One thing I have learnt when it comes to pacing Comrades is that it ’ s important to plan your race , despite the fact that your body may sometimes fail you . Always remember , “ The aim is to finish the race on time !” – Jeff Ramokoka
SUB-11:30 – MKOKELI MALGHAS FINISHING TIME : 11:39:02 5th Comrades finish 2nd Comrades as Pacesetter
Firstly , thanks to everyone who made sure I ’ m on the list of pacesetters for this event . Running is what I do , but pacesetting is what I enjoy , and pacing for Comrades , in my experience , is different to any other race . It ’ s a long day , with much bigger numbers of people who rely on you , so you need to start preparing for the journey from the first kilometre . You need to know the race , know what ’ s coming , and have a strategy all the time . Also , I have learnt over the years in Comrades that you will now and again have a black moment , so a pacesetter needs to relax and focus on the plan , and forget about that moment – it is not permanent . Think about the people behind you , and enjoy the race .
SUB-10:30 – TANKISO SEABO FINISHING TIME : 10:25:51 5th Comrades finish 1st Comrades as Pacesetter
Pacing for the first time at Comrades was exciting , and also scary at the same time . I had a wonderful group of passengers who made my job easy , and we all managed to help one another to finish within our flag time . The biggest appreciation goes to Tumelo Motshabi , aka ' Manyepa ,’ who was my assistant and made sure that I ' m well taken care of .
Carrying the hopes of runners is a huge responsibility that requires patience and discipline , because you have to communicate the strategy , and motivate grumpy , tired passengers . What a feeling when you see their happy faces after conquering the Ultimate Human Race . As we said on the day , “ Pain is temporary , it ' s all in the mind , Comfort zone must fall - this is Comrades , and Habashwe !” – Tankiso Seabo
SUB -11:00 – TUMO MOKHATLA FINISHING TIME : 10:59:17 6th Comrades finish 1st Comrades as Pacesetter
This year I was running my sixth consecutive Comrade , but this one felt like the first one , with more responsibilities on my shoulders as an Official Pacesetter . I would like to thank KZN Pacesetters for trusting me when I raised my hand to be part of this selfless group of runners , who sacrifice their PBs and run to help others to achieve their PBs . Being a pacesetter for races like Comrades requires a lot from a runner . You need to know when to slow down or increase the pace , and to walk , and you must be able to stick to your pacing chart throughout the day , so that your passengers can reach the finish line in one piece .
What really kept me going was the support I got from the passengers , who were encouraging me to deliver them , as well as the supporters who were cheering us from Pietermaritzburg to Moses Mabhida , and lastly , my friends and family , especially my wife , Moipone . Thanks for the support , it was much appreciated . See you again next year , guys , if I make the selection again . – Tumo Mokhatla
Overall , I started well , and I was a couple of seconds ahead of another 11:30 bus . The road was congested , so I just followed everyone up until about 20km , where the two busses combined and we started to have good moments and a nice pace . From about 38km to 50km I had such a dark moment , and I had to really dig deep , but I pulled through until the finish . – Mkokeli Malghas
SUB-11:30 – LUCAS SELEKA FINISHING TIME : 11:39:04 14th Comrades finish 4th Comrades as Pacesetter
My running career started in 2006 , and I ' ve earned 14 Comrades Marathon medals , with a personal best time in 2012 with a time of 7:51 . After my 10th Comrades , I decided to started pacing , and 2017 was my first Comrades as an official pacesetter , where I was driving the sub-11:30 bus and we finished in 11:30 . In 2018 I was a sub-12 pacesetter and we finished 11:53 , and the same again in 2019 , a sub-12 that finished in 11:54 . This year I was back at sub-11:30 , and we finished in 11:39 for a safe Vic Clapham medal . We ran and sang at the same time – Bus Driver Woodumo . – Lucas Seleka
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