MY COMRADES STORY BY FUNDISWA NGXISHE

“I've just completed my sixth Comrades Marathon this year, finishing in 9:26. It's a far cry from my days as a gym fanatic, when I thought adding 5km runs to my workouts would be a great idea.

My love for Comrades truly started after meeting two gentlemen who introduced me to the world of long-distance running. They bought me running shoes and even registered me for races. To my surprise, they had signed me up for Comrades, an ultramarathon I hadn't even considered. And so, my journey began.

Comrades has inspired me to stand up for those who can't. I run for a cause — to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Growing up, I dreamed of being brave, doing something that embodied courage. Training for and running the Comrades has fulfilled that dream. Last month, I was recognized by the Mail & Guardian Power of Women 2024 in Sport.

Training for Comrades as a woman in South Africa is no easy feat. Running in the early morning or late afternoon can be dangerous. As single parents juggling work, kids, and training, we face numerous challenges. Yet, we persevere, driven by tears and joy. The support we receive from the running community is our lifeline. Thank you Comrades for creating hope and giving us so much more to believe in!”

The winner of this month’s Mr Price Sport voucher is Fundiswa Ngxishe.