Wanderers veteran earns Comrades triple green number
Long-time Wanderers Athletics Club member Mark Hoffman crossed the finish line of his 30th Comrades Marathon on June 8, earning the coveted triple green permanent number, a milestone that reflects three decades of grit, sweat, and heart.
Hoffman's running journey started with a dare at the Long Bar after a few pints back in 1993. What followed was a lifelong passion marked by over 165 marathons and ultra-marathons. Despite battling a foot injury this year, and painful blisters mid-race, he powered through the 87 gruelling kilometres from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Read more: Watch: Comrades Marathon hero helps collapsed runner finish race
'The race becomes incredibly tough around the 50km mark,' he said. 'But mind-power, and the support of fellow runners and spectators, carried me through.'
Though Hoffman didn't run with fellow Wanderers members this year, he never felt alone. 'Over 30 years I've made so many friends, and every year, new ones too.'
After 11 hours and 41 minutes on the road, Hoffman crossed the finish line with tears of joy, cheered on by his wife Estelle, his steadfast supporter for 23 of the 30 races.
Now, looking ahead to the 100th Comrades in 2027 and his 30th Two Oceans, Hoffman says he might take a break, but his story is far from finished.
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