Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 153 October 2022 | Page 46

ROAD RUNNING
SUB-12:00 – LAZARUS MALEBANA FINISHING TIME : 11:50:15 12th Comrades finish 1st Comrades as Pacesetter
SUB-12:00 – FRANCOIS GROBLER FINISHING TIME : 11:52:29 5th Comrades finish 1st Comrades as Pacesetter
SUB-12:00 – SHAHIEDA THUNGO FINISHING TIME : 11:53:29 5th Comrades finish 4th Comrades as Pacesetter
Images : Tobias Ginsberg , Sean Falconer
This has been a year of many firsts for me . It was the first time the race fell on my wedding anniversary . It was my debut year to lead a Bus to the finish line . It was also the first time I fell during the race ... 57km into the race I tripped on a cat ’ s eye in the centre of the road and went down sprawling on the tarmac . The passengers screamed in disappointment and desperation : “ No , Bus Driver , you cannot quit now !” I noticed that I was bleeding profusely on my left hand and knee , and the pain was taking a toll , but I could not quit . The passengers kept sprinkling water on my bleeding arms until it stopped 20 kilometres later . The love and warmth from the passengers kept me shouting words of encouragement to them , and I forgot about my pain .
The journey to Durban was punctuated by fun and a good rapport was forged . At every hill we walked . At every waterpoint we walked . At every physio station the bus took a one-minute massage detour before regrouping . The unity was cemented as the sound of my tambourine continued the rhythm . What was also striking for me was the trust and dependency of runners on the official ‘ bus drivers .’ Even the spectators would scream to struggling lone runners , “ Join the bus , you will arrive safe !”
When we crossed the finish line 10 minutes before cut-off time , the joy and tears from the passengers reassured me that the rhythm of the tambourine was not in vain . I still bear the scars from my fall , but to me this is a constant reminder that the 2022 Comrades was a year of many firsts . – Lazarus Malebana
From the moment I threw my name into the Comrades pacesetting hat until the gun went off on Sunday 28 August , I had emotions of fear , excitement and a massive sense of responsibility . This was my first outing as a pacesetter at Comrades , and I had always told my running friends , “ I ’ ll never pace Comrades , since it is too big for me ,” but a few minutes after pacesetting the cut-off time at Two Oceans , I told them , “ I ’ m going to do it , I have to .”
Comrades pacesetting is on another level . I ’ m not much into the hype before the race , but on the day , it is fantastic , extremely special . The banter , with both runners and spectators , keeps it ‘ light ,’ but we all suffer together . However , as a pacesetter , you cannot show any fear or pain , you are there for them and they trust you – sometimes too much . Selfishly , what I enjoyed was that it felt easier , since I ran a more intelligent race when following the pace chart . ( Okay , it was slower than normal , too , which helped .) It honestly is the most fun I ever had over 90km , and there are not many people that can say Comrades was fun ! – Francois Grobler
Pacing after a two-year hiatus was more than just about crossing the finish line on time ; it was a celebration of life and living . It was extra special for me , as it was the last Sunday of Woman ’ s Month , and that added extra sauce . The group of runners who followed me were just a great bunch of winners – some were novices who heard from their respective clubs , friends or family members to stick to “ Makhi ,” that she will get you to the finish line intact and on time … and not looking like your problems . One said that her clubmate told her , “ When Makhi says eat , you eat . When she says swallow , you swallow . You will thank me later .”
Such stories just warm my soul , but I do not take the opportunity afforded to me for granted . Trotting along for 12 hours is what feeds my soul , and I will drive that bus for as long as I can . Thank you to my amazing passengers , support , and cheerleaders near and far , let ’ s meet at the start line in 2023 , when we repeat this thing that leaves us in pain but keeps calling us back . Lotsa love , Sub-Halala Bus Driver Shahieda , aka “ Makhi .” – Shahieda Thungo
The 2022 Comrades Pacesetters are all affiliated to the provincial pacesetting organisations , Gauteng Pace Setters ( GPS ), KwaZulu-Natal Pace Setters ( KZNPS ) and Western Province Pace Setters ( WPPS ). A leadership team from these organisations selected the final team of pacesetters , in conjunction with Modern Athlete . On behalf of the Pacesetting Leadership team , we would like to thank all the Comrades Pacesetters for the wonderful job they did in helping their fellow runners in the Ultimate Human Race .
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