From the supporters’ desk

When I volunteered to support the JRAC Comrades team, I was least prepared for the team dynamics that go with that. In the past two Comrades, I had only supported my husband Brian, and this gave me freedom in terms of where I would like to see him.

So, few weeks before the big day, discussions are held on the WhatsApp support team on where we would be stationed, what we need to buy for the runners and what we need to carry to Durban.

In discussions with the athletes, group dynamics emerged, with one person preferring to have this drink and not that one, the other these chips with this flavor and not that flavor. Because the support was an extension of love for fellow runners out there, in the end all gets sorted and there was a meeting of minds.

One became the lead support automatically on the basis that things required were all transported through the person driving to Durban as others were flying. I missed the group photoshoot, it was difficult to get people to collect their support items from the car, but at the end all was sorted. Joo, missed buying salt, so one had to rush to buy salt for each station (which in the end was barely used).

The day arrives; what a challenging day. You know when you think you have experience in supporting, one tends to forget that just like running the Comrades, you cannot run it by experience only (got this from my husband); well … the same goes for the support. When my support partner, Akhona, got to our station at the 56km mark around 6am, she called to check where I was; I was still sleeping at that time.

I had dropped 3 runners at the start at 5am, then went back to the hotel and slept until 8am (even after the call), then went to have breakfast and streamed a church service, all relaxed. Now clever me, leaves for the support station and voila, in the middle of nowhere after being diverted from the N3 highway, where there was an accident, the petrol light in the car came on, drove for a long time with GPS showing no petrol station nearby. By the time I got to the petrol station and after many calls from my fellow supporter, the blood pressure was so high from panicking.

In the meantime, the JC (junior citizen) support was having so much fun and posting pictures and messages on the Club’s WhatsApp group; I panicked but prayed to keep calm. I started asking myself, “What if I do not get to the support point on time and someone is in dire need of salt or any other thing before I got to my designated station?”

But God knew my heart and I got there in good time. Now dynamics; my support partner was there at 6am, got the best spot for us to put everything, I now cannot get to her because of road closures. She was at the 56km mark, which was agreed to and I could only find a parking spot at the 58km mark. Alone and having to carry the banner (with no hammer to peg it to the ground), the food and drinks, I went through the bushes but luckily found a spot to set up.

Fortunately a Good Samaritans lent me a hammer and helped put up the banner; but the wind was too strong. As a result the flag kept turning and it was frustrating me but I chose to ignore it. Against all odds, Ausi Tshidi made it to the station, my partner Akhona walks 2km to come join me from the initial perfect spot. Then the team grew and grew, and the rest is history. Fun was had!!!

The effort was worth it, as the JRAC runners came one after another, it was a big celebration. The love, the laughter, the pain, the selfies; we shared them all. Yes, the muscle relaxant spray worked, a bit of Mageu and those that had their “fixes” prepared, got their fixes. My husband got his secret energy boost (the famous kiss) and he was good to go. As for the food and other drinks, our runners were not interested, the flavours did not matter anymore, all they wanted were words of encouragement for them to finish. And they did!!!

My disappointment though is not counting the sheep at the end. It was difficult to ensure that everyone is there and safe. Some people could not find their loved ones, some were in the medical tent and communication was dead, dead; understandably so because most runners did not have their cellphones on them, but my appeal is having a plan beforehand; know where you will meet with your loved ones.

To all the supporters, the JC team (best support overall), thank you. If I do not qualify to run the Comrades Marathon, I will support again and again, despite the challenges. Well done to the JRAC Comrades runners. I am grateful to be part of this beautiful team. Anyone in need of salt, I have plenty (*laughs*) at home.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Much love

Dinky Mathabela