Local athletes complete 30th Comrades

Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - Mossel Bay masters athletes Selwyn Losper and Jacob Karelse completed their 30th Comrades marathons on 10 June.

Selwyn (54) said: "I'm proud of my placing. I won a medal with a bronze inner and silver surround. My time was 8.01. I was well prepared and my race went better than last year." Selwyn celebrated his 54th birthday this week, on 12 June.

Jacob (59) said it did not matter to him where he came. It was the fact that he finished that was important. He finished in 11 hours 27 minutes and won a copper medal. Both athletes received a green cloth emblem with three laurel wreaths and their Comrades number embroidered on it. Each laurel wreath represents 10 years.

"I walked the last 9km," Jacob says. As he neared the end a Brazilian man came to him and asked: "Where are you from?" Jacob answered: "From the most beautiful place in South Africa - Mossel Bay. It won the Town of the Year award."

Jacob told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that doing a 30th Comrades was a dream come true for both himself and Selwyn. They are running pals and have been so since 1986. "I felt as if I was running the race for our whole community that has supported us and I want to thank them. I also thank my family especially," Jacob said.

He said he was grateful to the Lord for having come so far with the Comrades. "I truly felt that it was my day on 10 June."

Jacob said that when people at the Comrades saw the 29 number on his vest, indicating he was then running his 30th marathon, they said: "We're going to call you Sir Jacob now." A letter from Selwyn and Jacob, thanking their supporters and sponsors, will be published on the letters page of the Mossel Bay Advertiser soon.

Mossel Bay masters athletes Selwyn Losper and Jacob Karelse completed their 30th Comrades marathons on 10 June.