This year, Damelin Durban City supporters consisting of 25 students and 45 staff arrived at the designated site at 3am to begin setting up. Despite the icy chill of Pietermaritzburg and the dark winter’s morning, a buzz of excitement warmed the air.
After months of preparation and anticipation, the day finally arrived for the students and staff to set up the beverage tables with drinks that would quench the thirst of the exhausted runners. The gazebos and marquee were hoisted by staff, while boxes of Energade and water sachets were unpacked and trays were filled with ice. As the first orange-hued rays of sunrise illuminated the sky, the students could not wait to witness the runners as they took on the world’s most gruelling marathon.
Excitedly, students and staff quickly positioned themselves as the helicopter signalled the first runner approaching. To add to the atmosphere, the sound of the iconic song, “Eye of the Tiger” played in the background, lifting everyone’s spirits.
The students cheered and offered drinks to each runner en-route to Durban. Noluthando Mnikathi, a second year journalism and media student who helped to man the station said, “This was such an adventurous experience for me and inspirational too, as I watched young and old runners compete. It made me feel like this is something I could do.”
Kenneth Masilela, General Manager of Damelin Durban City said, “To be a part of the Comrades atmosphere was amazing and we are so proud to be part of this feel good South African initiative.”
Damelin would like to congratulate all the runners that competed in the 2016 Comrades Marathon and the winner, David Gatebe for breaking the’ down-run’ record. Gatebe completed in a time of 5:18:19, beating the record set by the Russian, Leonid Shvetsov in2007 with a time of 5:20:49.
Damelin, dedicated to providing students with a learning experience that is innovative and exciting, is a multi-award winning brand offering a variety of academic programmes across a range of disciplines.
Visit the Damelin website on www.damelin.co.za or call 0860 532 887.
