Professional runner, Khutso Ramawela shows off one of his medals.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Bolobedu based professional runner Khutso Ramawela is aiming for his third back to back Comrade marathon medal this year.
The 34 year-old man who is the area manager of the top class Avuxeni Computer Academy in Polokwane successfully completed the world’s largest and oldest altra-marathon race in 2022 and 2023.
This year the marathon which is run annually in the province of Kwazulu Natal from Durban to Pietermarizburg will be a little more tougher due to the change in the direction of the race. Unlike in the previous two marathons which took a down-run direction starting from Pietermarzburg and finishing in Durban, this time around the race will take an up-run direction. It will start from Durban to Pietermarizburg and according to Ramawela this time around it will require more energy and strength.
However the father of two already has a plan in place for success. “I will add a lot of hill training this year and strengthen my core. I will also do a lot of lunges and squarts to strengthen the calf” he said.
Ramawela said the high mountains in Bolobedu will help him prepare for the race. “I will use the hill road to the royal house in Khehlakone to prepare for the tough Pollyshots hill towards the end of the race in Pietermarizburg. Pollyshots alone is 1, 80 km while fields hill in Pinetown is 3km” he added.
Ramawela’s wall of fame is full of many medals including the three Comrade medals he received for completing the race back to back. He received a Vuclip medal in 2022 for completing his first comrade Marathon in 11hours 28 minutes while in 2023 he got a bronze medal for completing his second marathon in 10 hours 26 minutes. This year’s comrade Marathon will take place on Ramawela’s birthday on the 09th of June.
Khutso Ramawela during Magoebaskloof plunge marathon.