MY COMRADES STORY BY BOITUMELO MOFOKENG

“Bouncing back, at age 64 to finish Comrades at 11.31.33 dancing in celebration, was the sweetest triumphant spirit of The Ultimate Human Race.

My success is a result of doing everything Coach Benzi advised his runners to do. I attended the Comrades Women's boot camp, invested in a route test run trip in April, listened to my doctor, stayed injury free, improved my nutrition and took my sports supplements. Critical too, was preparing mentally and emotionally. I trusted the process I followed.

This year the most trending quote was "Answer your Why"! My why has long been there; it propelled me to decide to return after my Back2Back in 2015 and assisting novices in my club.

My life changing answer to my why was writing my story of black women running Comrades, breaking social perceptions about age, thwarting cultural myths about being a widow, a grandmother, a pensioner and all the negative perceptions.

My why was and will always be even bigger than my life experience - to run for those who might not live long enough to run the world’s greatest ultramarathon. I ran to raise funds for those little ones fighting against childhood cancer at CHOC Foundation! I knew they need Granny Boitumelo to keep their hope alive!

My why was made easier after my training, by the great race organisation, the traditional iconic and historical on-route supporters, entertainment, personal support by family and friends and club members.

I had fun from start to finish! I fed my soul with my favourite praise songs I trained with to control my pace. I recognized fellow training group members along the route, whispering our slogan, "Trust the Process."

Ten days later after Comrades, it was my 65th birthday. I celebrated and recommitted to returning to the start line in 2025!”

The winner of this month’s Mr Price Sport voucher is Boitumelo Mofokeng.