{"id":179859,"date":"2018-06-05T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/179859\/germiston-callies-host-their-annual-comrades-breakfast-send-off\/"},"modified":"2018-06-08T10:46:43","modified_gmt":"2018-06-08T08:46:43","slug":"germiston-callies-host-their-annual-comrades-breakfast-send-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/06\/05\/germiston-callies-host-their-annual-comrades-breakfast-send-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Germiston Callies host their annual Comrades Breakfast send-off"},"content":{"rendered":"

As tradition would have it, with the spirit of the 2018 Comrades Marathon growing strong, Germiston Callies Harriers Athletics Club held their annual Comrades Breakfast at the Victoria Lake Club.<\/p>\n

The breakfast, preceded by a 10km fun run, celebrated athletes who will be participating in one of the most challenging ultra-marathons in South Africa this Sunday.<\/p>

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It also encouraged athletes and gave them a send-off fit for athletic royalty.<\/p>\n

Bruce Fordyce, an ultra-marathon runner who is best known for his nine-time Comrades Marathon wins, was the guest speaker at the breakfast.<\/p>

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Fordyce shared splendid memories of his experience at the Comrades and he advised runners to enjoy it, giving them a few tips on when to walk and when not to walk.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere are two landmarks I will tell you about, namely, Arthur\u2019s Seat and the Comrades Wall of Honour,\u201d said Fordyce.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirstly, be sure to greet Arthur.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you buy a flower and place it on Arthur\u2019s Seat on the day of the race, legend has it you\u2019ll enjoy your second half of the run.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe seat is about halfway through the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was apparently the \u2018resting place\u2019 where legendary five-time Comrade\u2019s winner Arthur Newton rested, and by greeting him you\u2019ll enjoy the second part of the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecondly, after all the effort, courage, tenacity, energy and all the relationships you\u2019ve risked to be a part of this race, remember to add your name to the Comrades Wall of Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also in attendance was the club\u2019s chairperson, Fred Macdougall, who wished everyone well on their trip to the 93rd Comrades Marathon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a prestigious club and we constantly endeavour to keep the Callies name high.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hold a few Comrades wins and this year we predict we will be returning with six silver medals,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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According to Les Black, the deputy chairperson, 75 athletes qualified to run in the Comrades this year, and those expected to do well from the club are Zwelithini Vaphi , who will be running his 18th Comrades Marathon, as well as his training partners Emmanual Mavunda and Bheki Hlathswayo.<\/p>\n