The annual Germiston Callies Harriers\u2019 Comrades send-off breakfast was held, on Sunday, at Sha-Mani Lodge in Alberton, ahead of the 94th edition of the Comrades Marathon set to take place on June 9, in KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n
Due to the growth in numbers the club had to find a suitable venue to accommodate 200 Callies members and their families.<\/p>
The purpose of the breakfast was to advise runners on the arrangements of the Comrades.<\/p>\n
Callies provides four aid stations along the Comrades route, whose primary purpose is to provide a place where the club\u2019s runners can collect their particular drinks, gels or sometimes a change of clothes or shoes, as well as some basic first aid items.<\/p>
The stations provide aid to runners from other clubs as well.<\/p>\n
The four aid stations will be situated at Gillitts, Heidi\u2019s Farm Stall, Cato Ridge and at the bottom of Polly Shortts.<\/p>\n
Eighty-five Callies athletes entered the marathon this year, 18 of which are novices.<\/p>\n
There is one runner going for his permanent green number, by running his 10th race.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred Macdougall, former chairperson of Callies, will be running his 30th consecutive Comrades for his triple green number,\u201d said Les Black from Germiston Callies Harriers.<\/p>\n
John Hamlett, who has coached a number of top Comrades athletes and a Comrades winner, was the first speaker on the day.<\/p>\n
Hamlett has run a number of ultramarathons and was a member of Germiston Callies in the 1980\u2019s.<\/p>\n
He gave the runners advice on what to do and what not to do at the Comrades.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlan Robb, who is a Callies member, a Comrades winner and has run 42 consecutive Comrades, had encouraging words for the runners and expanded on Callies\u2019 proud history as the most successful club at the Comrades Marathon,\u201d said Black.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo other club has achieved what Callies has regarding the Comrades.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking forward to getting five or six silver medals from our top runners this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have put in a lot of hard work including training at high altitude in Dullstroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
As per the norm, Callies revealed this year\u2019s Comrades tracksuits and hoodies to be sported in Durban.
\n\u201cThank you to Ackermans Pharmacy based in Primrose for these fine items,\u201d said Black.<\/p>\n
Macdougal was the last runner to receive his tracksuit which was handed to him by Robb.<\/p>\n
Robb not only presented him with his sportswear package, but also a banner of encouragement signed by all of the club\u2019s Comrades runners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish all Callies runners and friends a successful Comrades run.
\n\u201cMay you all achieve your individual goals,\u201d said Black.<\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n