NATIONAL NEWS - When Daniel de Wet regained consciousness in Netcare Milpark Hospital after a 1.8-metre metal industrial crowbar penetrated his body 3.5 kilometres underground at a mine in Carletonville, he never imagined that he would now be making final preparations for taking part in his first Comrades Marathon since the accident.

“Just three-and-a-half years ago, my wife and colleagues were praying for my survival, and when I was able to walk out of the hospital only 19 days later, we regarded it as a miracle from God. To think that I have now successfully qualified to take on the Comrades Marathon once more is truly remarkable, and every day I am so grateful for the recovery I have made,” De Wet says.

“Day by day, I have regained my strength, and this year I have managed to qualify for the 2018 Comrades Marathon. I am dedicating my run to every single rescue worker, paramedic, firefighter, and especially to Netcare 911, Netcare Milpark Hospital and trauma surgeon Professor Kenneth Boffard.”

“Before my accident in 2015, I ran the Comrades Marathon six times, and during my initial recovery after the accident, it seemed to me that I would never be able to take part in this gruelling ultramarathon ever again,” De Wet notes.

On 10 June, however, he will be taking on the challenge of this year’s Comrades Marathon with his running club, the Carleton Harriers, wearing race number 49470.

Read more on the Caxton publication, The Citizen.