Lucre wants Comrades first-timers
4 March 2005
Three-time Comrades Marathon winner Helen Lucre has joined the chorus of encouragement for first-time runners to participate in the 80th edition of the world famous ultra-marathon.
Lucre was the winner of the 89 kilometre event in 1985 in 6:53:24, when she placed 135th overall. In 1986 she won in 6:55:01. A year later, she earned her hat-trick when she crossed the finish line in 6:48:42 at the Jan Smuts Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
She reckons the 2005 race is a special event, and would like to see new ultra-distance runners attempting it. "Like in the 2000 Millennium race, when a record crowd turned out to run and make it a festive affair, I would like to see just as many taking up the challenge on June 16", she says.
Lucre, the owner of four gold, one silver and three bronze medals, last ran the Comrades in 1995, when she finished the race in 7:19:21. The former Kiwi still runs, but participates socially in shorter distance races, mainly
in KwaZulu-Natal, and is out on the road during the Comrades Marathon each year as a television commentator.
'Not impossible'
She believes that completing at least one Comrades Marathon in a life-time is a major challenge, but not an impossible one.
"It's a huge challenge, but it can be conquered if one plans it well. I believe a runner completely new to the Comrades needs to plan the run well and approach the race sensibly.
"And most important of all is to enjoy participating in the race. It's a fun-filled event with thousands cheering and carrying you through to the finish."
Lucre warns, however, that novices should not get carried away with the occasion, and must realise that there are 12 hours to complete the distance from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Her final piece of advice for all novices is that they must be consistent with their training in the lead-up to race day.
The 2005 Comrades Marathon will be run
from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban's Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on 16 June. Entries close on 3 May. A number of Comrades qualifiers are still scheduled to be held in different parts of the country.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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