Bakgat runners (13) are taking on the CPT Marathon as their first time ever running officially a 42.2km distance race. Some of them were asked what made them take on this challenge, their preparation and how they are feeling about the upcoming event.
Here are their answers:
Lynette Nelson
It wasn't something that was really on my radar. Our 21km team started talking about doing the marathon and after that excitement I thought, why not join them. The training went well. I did 3 times a week sessions. The longer distances on Saturday's was tough and something to get used to. Sticking to a marathon pace or even just the variances of the different paces of the long runs was something to get used to. My body was used to the 21km so when it got to that point, it's like I wanted to stop running. Luckily I'm in a group that helps me to push through.
I feel very nervous, stressed and excited and just amazed that I will actually be doing this, as I never saw myself running 42.2km.
Shereeze Kleinsmith
I always had this deep secret desire to run a marathon. My 1st goal was to reach my target weight of 65kg and my 2nd goal was to run my first marathon by the age of 40, which is less than one year away.
Going through a lot of sad and happy changes I asked the Lord to send only the right people on my path and I prayed for God to send me people who love running as much as I do.
On Tuesday 30 March (I still remember the day), Quintus and his team were training in 9th Avenue and I went up to Linda and inquired about joining the team. I started training with them the next day. I must add since then, we have never trained in 9th Avenue again. Just shows, it was meant to be.
It's been a tough but oh such an interesting journey. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that six months later I would be running a marathon. Nine months before my 40th birthday and as a bonus I have reached my 65kg weight goal as well.
Coach Quintus has supported me and gave guidance every step of the way and the team have encouraged me tremendously. I could never do it without the support of this amazing bunch of people. For me it will definitely be an emotional run, because I’ve grown immensely in the past year. I am extremely excited to be part of this race and I am even more excited to be running it with our team.
Elouise Lourens
When I joined Bellville AC and the training group at the beginning of the year, I did not know what to expect. All the previous clubs that I was part of had no formal training and left you to your own with regards to entering and completing races. I never made any real progress.
Running a marathon has always been on my bucket list, but it felt like it would never be achieved. However, thanks to our great coach Quintus and the awesome people in the training group, I started to enjoy running distances that, a year ago, I would have thought to be impossible. I enjoyed every moment.
Finally entering the marathon was daunting, but the knowledge that coach believed in us, and that we were all doing it together, motivated me and replaced fear with excitement.
I know that I will be on the start line with some of the best people that I have ever met, so I am incredibly excited to be doing this with our team. I am nervous too, but I know that we are ready to tackle this distance and make a success of it together.
Honestly, it doesn’t feel real yet. This whole experience has been life changing. Strangers turned into family and Boston feels like my second home. I am so grateful and proud of how far we all have come - that is a success in itself. Crossing the finish line will be the cherry on top.
Amanda Gerber
I am doing the marathon because I want prove to myself that I can do and achieve more than I think.
My training went well thanks to the big plus of having an inspiring coach and an amazing training group.
I am excited, but nervous for that starting line. Looking forward to race day and want to enjoy the experience.
Caroline van Zilla
I entered the Sanlam marathon, because of the strong drive, the passion and the motivation of my fellow club runners and the art of running introduced to us by coach Quintus. I compare my running with Beethoven's 5th piano symphony, the dialog between the piano and the symphony. For me running is that dialog between myself and every step I move forward and that is the passion I inherit from our running community.
I feel strong and determined, a little bit nervous, but also confident and believe I can pace myself to finish the race.
Unknown
The amazing group of people I train with and coach Quintus inspired and motivated me to enter and train for the CPT Marathon. I'm praying for the mental perseverance to finish it well. I'm looking forward to the starting line, the support along the way and the sleepover in Cape Town the night before.
Charl Sonnekus
I never used to be much of a runner and only found it necessary when fitness was of great importance when rugby season started. Since I joined the current training group, running has become something more to me and I really like challenging myself when it comes to something new I'm taking on.
I did my first half marathon soon after I started training as a runner and the next logical step is to try and up my game by giving the full marathon distance a go.
Never in my life would I have thought I'd find myself on the verge of taking part in a marathon and the feeling of excitement is palpable. As the event draws closer and closer everything just feels that little bit more intense.
Nelmarié Saayman
My husband, Jacobus, did the Cape Town Marathon in 2019 and since then I wanted to do it as well. When the marathon was announced to be an actual race (not virtual) and with the training I did together with my group I decided the time has come to enter. I am excited and looking forward to the marathon.
Wishing you all the best!
PS: Coach Quintus, no you don’t like the limelight, but it seems you deserve a lot credit for your coaching. Well done!
Here are their answers:
Lynette Nelson
It wasn't something that was really on my radar. Our 21km team started talking about doing the marathon and after that excitement I thought, why not join them. The training went well. I did 3 times a week sessions. The longer distances on Saturday's was tough and something to get used to. Sticking to a marathon pace or even just the variances of the different paces of the long runs was something to get used to. My body was used to the 21km so when it got to that point, it's like I wanted to stop running. Luckily I'm in a group that helps me to push through.
I feel very nervous, stressed and excited and just amazed that I will actually be doing this, as I never saw myself running 42.2km.
Shereeze Kleinsmith
I always had this deep secret desire to run a marathon. My 1st goal was to reach my target weight of 65kg and my 2nd goal was to run my first marathon by the age of 40, which is less than one year away.
Going through a lot of sad and happy changes I asked the Lord to send only the right people on my path and I prayed for God to send me people who love running as much as I do.
On Tuesday 30 March (I still remember the day), Quintus and his team were training in 9th Avenue and I went up to Linda and inquired about joining the team. I started training with them the next day. I must add since then, we have never trained in 9th Avenue again. Just shows, it was meant to be.
It's been a tough but oh such an interesting journey. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that six months later I would be running a marathon. Nine months before my 40th birthday and as a bonus I have reached my 65kg weight goal as well.
Coach Quintus has supported me and gave guidance every step of the way and the team have encouraged me tremendously. I could never do it without the support of this amazing bunch of people. For me it will definitely be an emotional run, because I’ve grown immensely in the past year. I am extremely excited to be part of this race and I am even more excited to be running it with our team.
Elouise Lourens
When I joined Bellville AC and the training group at the beginning of the year, I did not know what to expect. All the previous clubs that I was part of had no formal training and left you to your own with regards to entering and completing races. I never made any real progress.
Running a marathon has always been on my bucket list, but it felt like it would never be achieved. However, thanks to our great coach Quintus and the awesome people in the training group, I started to enjoy running distances that, a year ago, I would have thought to be impossible. I enjoyed every moment.
Finally entering the marathon was daunting, but the knowledge that coach believed in us, and that we were all doing it together, motivated me and replaced fear with excitement.
I know that I will be on the start line with some of the best people that I have ever met, so I am incredibly excited to be doing this with our team. I am nervous too, but I know that we are ready to tackle this distance and make a success of it together.
Honestly, it doesn’t feel real yet. This whole experience has been life changing. Strangers turned into family and Boston feels like my second home. I am so grateful and proud of how far we all have come - that is a success in itself. Crossing the finish line will be the cherry on top.
Amanda Gerber
I am doing the marathon because I want prove to myself that I can do and achieve more than I think.
My training went well thanks to the big plus of having an inspiring coach and an amazing training group.
I am excited, but nervous for that starting line. Looking forward to race day and want to enjoy the experience.
Caroline van Zilla
I entered the Sanlam marathon, because of the strong drive, the passion and the motivation of my fellow club runners and the art of running introduced to us by coach Quintus. I compare my running with Beethoven's 5th piano symphony, the dialog between the piano and the symphony. For me running is that dialog between myself and every step I move forward and that is the passion I inherit from our running community.
I feel strong and determined, a little bit nervous, but also confident and believe I can pace myself to finish the race.
Unknown
The amazing group of people I train with and coach Quintus inspired and motivated me to enter and train for the CPT Marathon. I'm praying for the mental perseverance to finish it well. I'm looking forward to the starting line, the support along the way and the sleepover in Cape Town the night before.
Charl Sonnekus
I never used to be much of a runner and only found it necessary when fitness was of great importance when rugby season started. Since I joined the current training group, running has become something more to me and I really like challenging myself when it comes to something new I'm taking on.
I did my first half marathon soon after I started training as a runner and the next logical step is to try and up my game by giving the full marathon distance a go.
Never in my life would I have thought I'd find myself on the verge of taking part in a marathon and the feeling of excitement is palpable. As the event draws closer and closer everything just feels that little bit more intense.
Nelmarié Saayman
My husband, Jacobus, did the Cape Town Marathon in 2019 and since then I wanted to do it as well. When the marathon was announced to be an actual race (not virtual) and with the training I did together with my group I decided the time has come to enter. I am excited and looking forward to the marathon.
Wishing you all the best!
PS: Coach Quintus, no you don’t like the limelight, but it seems you deserve a lot credit for your coaching. Well done!