S4J at 2015 Comrades Marathon in a few snapshots

S4J at 2015 Comrades Marathon in a few snapshots

The Sudan4Jesus run [S4J] team just completed  their 6th consecutive year of participation in the Comrades Marathon (the 90th this year). The race had almost 23,000 entries. Of that number 16,588 actually started the race. It gives some indication of the difficulty of this race.

The S4J team this year had the same number as last year, 108 athletes. Below is a breakdown of statistics of the race. Of the 108 athletes, 87 completed the distance of about 88 km (about 54 miles) within the cut-off time of 12 hours. Louis Massyn of the S4J team completed his 43rd consecutive Comrades. Congratulations to you and everyone in the team who contributed to making this a highly memorable S4J-2015.

The athletes utilize their participation in the Comrades Marathon in support of the people of Sudan and South Sudan. Should you wish to support them in their efforts, you could do so at this link.

A breakdown of the running performance of the team:

Johan and Corine van der Merwe at a larger-than-life poster of Rufus Photo.

Calvin Khoza, who ran for the S4J team the past three years, gave a very moving testimony at the S4J team meeting the day before the race. He joined the S4J team during the year that he ran his 20th race. Being inspired by the cause, he gave another two years in participation to the S4J team. Having completed his 22 race this year, he recruited three younger athletes to "take his place".

Sadig Hinowa came all the way from Sudan to inspire and be inspired.

S4J-2015 Team Photo, with S4J participation from Germany, Sudan, Malawi and South Africa.

Abel Lipenga from Malawi and Sadig Hinowa from Sudan, being showed something of teh splendor of the Union Buildings in Pretoria before departing to the Comrades Marathon in Kwazulu Natal.

The leading group at Drummond. The S4J had a support point at Drummond, which is half way into the race. Here with S4J athletes Rufus Photo in the orange running vest of Pietersburg Road Runners (14th in the race in a time of 6:02) and on teh far right Stephen Muzhingi from Zimbabwe. Stephen finished 8th in the race, which gave him a gold medal, in a time of 5:56. He is from Fast Way AC.

Renier Grobler saluting in passing by the S4J support point at Drummond. He was the keynote speaker at the S4J team meeting just before Comrades marathon.

New at S4J: Anel Labuschange. 12th overall of S4J team in a time of 8:09

Danka Erasmus, first S4J female runner in 2015, in a time of 7:56

S4J stalwart, Theo Swanepoel, did his 5th consecutive run for the S4J in a time of 8:56

Anthony Bold, a first one for S4J in a time of 8:48

Annalie du Preez, whose husband Louis du Preez passed away after last year's Comrades marathon, was there, with Louis' mother SophieMarie. Annalie touched the lives of MANY people with this courageous act of service. She's encouraging Andre Kok for his race.

Andriël de Lange, waving, has just joined the S4J team.

Cisca and Kerneels played a wonderful role in encouraging Annalie du Preez during the past year. This was their final Comrades. So boldly wearing the S4J badge.

Thalita Nelson

Lot's of love and hugs.

This athlete, Naomi, asked specifically for Annalie at the S4J support point at Drummond. "I'm running this for Louis", she told Annalie. Very moving scenes took place during this race.

Jan Coetzee. Looking much stronger than last year. This was his 28th Comrades.

Three amazing S4J athletes Arista van Zyl, Anet van Heerden and Frances Nel.

Juline Erasmus waving and displaying teh S4J badge on her skirt.

Wearing the button in memory of Louis du Preez above her heart.

New S4J athlete Ronelle Joubert and her daughter Anna Sophia

Carima Jonker, doing her first for S4J, in...the friendly Carima style. If you have class, it shows!

Leendert van Rooyen had a tough race, but there's always time for a great smile.

S4J celeb running pair Hanette Strydom and legendary runner Shaun Naidoo BOLDLY wearing their S4J badges.

The legend Vlam Pieterse, has taken many a bus (that is leading a group of runners to complete a distance within a specific time) sucessfully at Comrades before. This year is no exception. That's a beatiful smile Vlam.

Malcolm Pike and his friend Michelle

She was a complete stranger...and then spend a while at the S4J support point at Drummond...then asked for a S4J t-shirt because she was so moved by the cause. Here with Annalie du Preez.

Andreis Els of teh Turn to God club, who ran the race with his father and twin brother

Isabel Esterhuyzen had a tough race due to injyry

At the S4J support point at the Finish. Left to right: Karina Johnson, Erene and Bernhard Schwarz, Frances and Gordon Mayhew-Ridgers and Frances' mom.

Made it! With tears...heart of a lioness.

Jan and Benita Coetzee very happy at the Finish.

Hendrik Saayman, who decided about a month before the Comrades marathon to do his 5th race as part of the S4J, victorious. He experienced many miracles, wanted to stop before the finish and hop on a bus, but couldn't, because the bus was full. Here with Karina, Bernhard and Erene.

Jacob Moepi Tlhaabye of Resbank, looking very happy with his race. He came 21st of S4J runners in a time of 9:32

All part of the S4J support team: Standing: Abel Lipanga and Norman Johnson. Seated: Stefan Roodt, Pedri Coetzee, Karina Johnson and Sadig Hinowa.