By Humphrey Nkgadima
“Being on the starting line at the comrade’s marathon is an achievement and deserves celebration. Finishing the race and getting medal of your dream is an honour because many have started but could not finish.
We are all aware that running is hard. As a runner, you will always want to push yourself to the limit and that process is not easy. In most cases, you will have thoughts of giving up. But, at the same time you must think about the benefits of holding on. Pain is temporary, but glory is forever”.
A senior project officer in the heart of Land Claims Commission (LCC) under the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in Limpopo, Alfred Ngoasheng said this after participation in this year’s comrade’s marathon. The race was held in the city of Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu Natal province on 11 June 2023.
Ngoasheng, who hailed from Capricorn District under Polokwane Municipality, took part in this year’s 87,7 Kilometers (KM) comrade marathon, 2.3 KM down from last year’s 90 KM in Durban. The marathon took-off at 05h00 am and concluded 12 hours later at 17h00 pm, central African time. Of the 12 hours race, Ngoasheng secured 07:28.
This was his 16th comrade’s marathon he consecutively participated in. Asked how he maintained the balance right between work, training sessions and family time.
Ngoasheng explained that it all starts with effective time management, otherwise “we shall always find ourselves being pressed with time. Never despise the days of small beginning. An airplane to reach beyond the clouds, it starts from the ground. Start where you are with the ability you have got. Your ability may seem to be small, but it can grow. You may start by walking a km and grow from walking a km to running a km. We are all born without the ability to walk and run, but as we grow, we develop the ability to walk and run. Pushing yourself to the limit will always make you a better person. Great things never came from comfort zone”.
A married father of three beautiful children said that he is open to train aspirant athletes.
