Deputy Mayor Mkhize to run 6th Comrades

Jerry Barnes

Msunduzi Municipality’s Deputy Mayor Mxolisi Mkhize says taking part in this year’s Comrades Marathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg will be a sign of bravery, resilience, dedication and passion for sport.

Mkhize is also a karate expert, trainer, instructor and a prominent judge in karate  armed with a3rd Black Dan belt.

Mkhize said he will be running his sixth Comrades. He is clued up and aware of exactly what to expect during the race.

He believes he is also fully fit, in the right frame of mind and ready for the popular and grueling ultra-marathon.

“This year will be my sixth one, I know the drills and the route very well. I am aware that it is not going to be an easy task because the Comrades Marathon is something else. You overcome a series of challenges during the race – to finish it you need everything, your mental strength and a big heart,” he said.

Mkhize took part in the local standard marathons (42.2km) and is a regular participant in most of the races around KwaZulu-Natal. The last race he ran to test his fitness level and stamina was the Harry Gwala District Municipality Marathon that  started in Mzimkhulu and finished in Ixopo. After the race Mkhize took a break from training or competing for about two months to nurse his shin injury.

“I stopped training and taking part in races to ease the pain and heal my shin properly.

“To stay away from action for such a long time was not easy at all. It was stressing and heart breaking because you are so used to being out there in training or racing. Well, I am now happy that I’m fully healed, ready and raring to go,” he said.

Mkhize also indicated that he will be able to comfortably finish the race.

The other main task that will be Mkhize’s priority this year is raising funds for Community Chest.

Mkhize says his target is R25 000 but he may possibly go over it because the task is very important and close to his heart.

“Raising funds for charity should be everybody’s priority because the charities out there are in need and desperate for funds. “So this year my wish is R25 000 but I know that we can easily go more than that because my friends and all the South Africans are good people,” said Mkhize.