Team Kudzai could not wait for this day to come and finally D-day was here.  Our build up towards this day had its challenges with Kudzai being admitted to hospital the week before and I had the flu for the previous month.

Come race day, we were greeted with beautiful weather; before I forget, Kudzai was too excited to even sleep!  As we all know, marathon runners need their sleep. 

05:00 – I was busy setting up our jogger. First I must dismantle the jogger completely so that everyone can fit comfortably in my vehicle.  In doing this I accidently snapped the brakes, so for 42,2km we were without brakes and the jogger’s alignment was out a bit and pulled to the left (minor challenge)! It’s like running when you have slight friction from your running socks. We posed for team photos and interviews and prepared Kudzai’s first meal for the day.  He finished eating around 05:50 and we realized that we had to rush to our seeding pen as it closed at 06:05. Warm-up done and dusted.

Whilst in the seeding pen, we took some photos with the Adidas Ladies (Beyond my Impossible). Kudzai loved the attention.  We started moving to the start line. We could hear the count down for the seeding pens in front of us. When we got to the start line, everyone just started running and I, as many others, forgot to start my watch!

Our race finally started, with Kudzai egging me on to go faster.  I told him this is not a sprint, lol. Our first couple of km’s went well with Moegamat Abrahams from Durbanville Running Club joining Team Kudzai at the 5km mark.  He asked us what we were aiming for and we said a sub-5. He was also aiming for a sub 5 and asked if he could stay with us.  I immediately said yes as I know I will need a support runner.  I don’t know how Team Blitsie does it: Hilton you Legend!  Kudzai was instructing us to relieve each other. Every so often I screamed our motto for the day “We’re not here to compete, but to complete”. At the 10km mark we were still on track for a sub-5. I know – still early days.  At the 12km mark Moegamat said that he was cramping up and that we should carry on, he would catch up to us later.

Going through Rondebosch common was something else. It seemed as if all the supporters were there, we hardly had any space on the road. Lara (my girlfriend) and Jordan (my daughter) were there to hand me my supplement bottle (almost like the Elites)! My bestie, Lee, who is a sub 3hr marathoner, was standing with them as he had bailed at the 20k mark. Now I knew that this will be a toughie.

We were on track as we reached the 02H25min into the race at the halfway mark on Liesbeek Road. Kudzai needed a feed soon. The only place that I could think of was under the N2 bridge on Liesbeek Road where we stopped. His formula was thicker than usual therefore it moved slower.  The paramedics moved closer to have a view at what I was doing and many runners thought we had a serious issue (the first of many).  I was kneeling whilst feeding and Moegamat caught up at that time.  When I got up, I could feel that my hamstrings did not like that.  We plodded along through Salt River and Woodstock. At this stage we had a walk / run strategy.

At the 30km mark we were way off target for a sub-5.  I screamed that the marathon only starts now. You had to hear the comments, which I cannot repeat.  Going up the long hill in District 6 (+/- 32km), Kyle from Warriors, asked us if he could push the jogger till the top. Kyle then stayed with us to the finish. We only exchanged names 1km from the finish but chatted as long-time buddies for the last 7km.  That’s the beauty of a marathon.

5km from the finish Moegamat wanted to bail. I told him that we were so close and that we would walk the last couple of kilometres.  Kyle also encouraged him and confessed that when he joined Team Kudzai on the hill in district 6 he was about to bail. And when he saw us it just gave him that added motivation.

Our last 500m were an emotional moment for me.  Crowds cheering, Ellen screaming Kudzai’s name, everyone started screaming “Kudzai”! It just brought tears to my eyes (even now whilst typing).  Crossing the finish line in 05h51min was a huge sense of accomplishment. The joy and happiness on Kudzai’s face was incredible. I doubt that there was a dry eye around us.  Ellen, Kudzai and I just stood there hugging each other for a few seconds, not saying a word.

Kudzai – I am super proud of you. You are officially a marathoner now, and many more to come, next stop OMTOM Ultra.  Chaeli Sports and Recreation Club – thank you for allowing me to be part of this amazing family. Ellen – thank you, thank you, thank you for being such an amazing mom to an incredible son.  CSRC is the best sports club around, thank you for the support!

Will I do it all over again? Yes, I will: “We’re not here to compete, but complete”!