By Nangamso Mabindla
21 July 2006

HAVING run the Comrades Marathon for eight years, Buffalo City traffic officer Zweli Bomela, is well qualified to give advice on what it takes to prepare for South Africa's most gruelling endurance race.

Motivated by his love for running and challenges, former rugby player Bomela, 41, started out with the goal of qualifying for a silver medal in the 90-kilometre endurance race.

"But I fell short of the required time of 7 hours and 30 minutes and ran a time of 8 hours and 3 minutes. So I needed to be better by at least 12 minutes for the following year's challenge," says Bomela.

To prepare for his goal, he took part in local 42-kilometre races, the Masters Marathon, the Boyolo Marathon and the Buffalo Marathon.

"These marathons help you in your preparations for the Comrades; they are ways you can qualify to run a gruelling race that demands you to be focused for 90 kilometres," he says, adding that physical, mental and spiritual fitness are essential to run a successful Comrades.

He explains: "After 45 kilometres, the body gives up - that is when you need your mental person to tell you that you can do it. As you continue you need your inner person (the spiritual fitness) to tell your mind that you are almost there, and all of that transfers to your body."

To be successful, a Comrades runner needs to start his preparation at least six months before the event. "You need to eat healthily and not allow any distractions before you take part in the Comrades."

Eight years later, Bomela has received eight medals from the race that attracts many overseas athletes.

Looking ahead, the very fit traffic officer says he would like to run as many as 30 comrades marathons. His short-term goal is to run his 10^th comrades in 2008 and become a permanent member of the Comrades.

"Running the Comrades has been very fulfilling for me and I'm sure that I will achieve all my goals if I keep disciplined and focused on achieving them."