Latest news with #NorthlandsPrimarySchool
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Glen Hills runner reflects on incredible Comrades achievement
THIS year's Comrades Marathon provided an incredible feat of history as Louis Massyn became the first athlete to complete 50 Comrades Marathon. However, a little known fact is that there was another runner in that field of 20 000 who was also on the start line for the 50th time. Glen Hills David Williams was aiming to complete his 43rd Comrades finish. The Savages Athletics Club member, who crossed the finish line with just 10 seconds to spare from the final 12-hour cut-off received a Vic Clapham. Also read: Dijana, Steyn win Comrades Marathon titles The 73-year-old now has one Silver, 32 Bronze and 10 Vic Clapham medals to his name. What must be celebrated though is Williams' drive and determination to get across the finish line. Of his last eight Comrades runs, he had six that did not finish, but not for want of trying. For this year's race, Williams had failed to qualify at three marathons and only qualified on the last Comrades qualifier, the Durban International Marathon. Again a testament to his fortitude and self-belief, it would also come to describe his finish at this year's 98th Comrades Marathon where he crossed the finish line bent over. 'It was the most unusual experience I've ever had. I was coming down from Tollgate Bridge and picking up speed. I was feeling good and began to accelerate down the hill. At some point as I entered the Durban CBD I had a strange sensation where my legs were going, but my body wasn't coming with me. I spotted the 12-hour bus in front of me and suddenly my body began leaning forward. I kept kicking litter bins placed on the side of the road because I couldn't see. Also read: Northlands Primary School learner praised for embodying Comrades spirit 'As you can imagine I was bent over, with a cap on, so my line of vision was distorted. The closer I got to the finish line the lower I was bent over. Despite the help from a DHS Oldies runner and volunteers at the Community Chest water table to help set me back straight again, my body kept keeling forward. As I got nearer the finish line, which I imagined was the finish line because I couldn't see anything, I kept hearing crowds shouting 'go', 'go' 'don't stop here'. I kept running bent over and at some point I remember Alain Dalais, the general manager of the Comrades Marathon Association and a race official holding on to my arms. I never heard the finish gun but I did hear the crowd countdown the final 10 seconds. I was worried that I hadn't made it,' he said. Williams then made his way to the finish pen where race officials scan runner's bibs to determine what medal would be given. 'In my head I felt I hadn't finished. However, the incredible thing was the minute I began walking I was able to stand upright again. The lady scanned my bib and Vic Clapham. I wanted to say 'I think you made a mistake' but I held on to my medal. I was so pleased but shocked at the same time,' he said. While he is yet to decide on next year's Up Run, Williams said he is targeting the 100th running of the Comrades Marathon in 2027. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
15-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Durban schoolgirl's viral support for Comrades runners earns her heartfelt reward
A Durban schoolgirl's efforts in supporting Comrades runners on the 45th cutting near Sherwood have been rewarded, thanks to a businessman, Fred McKenzie, who made an unannounced visit to Northlands Primary School on Friday. Grade seven pupil Maddyson Shepard,12, became an instant hero when videos of her lending support to runners by cheering them on went viral on social media last Sunday. McKenzie said he had also seen the video of the teenager when he got home while browsing on social media. 'I realised her efforts were lovely and amazing and made arrangements to meet her after getting information from one of the Facebook users,' he said. McKenzie, through the help of the school's marketing department, managed to arrange a visit to the school on Friday morning. Maddyson, together with her classmates were showered with Wimpy vouchers. 'She is exactly the kind of person you see on the video. Free spirited, kind and slightly shy,' said McKenzie. Shepard said she was proud of her efforts. 'We had been on the road since the morning and we had seen the first male and female runners,' she said. She said during the day, she had rallied behind the runners. 'I told some of the runners, 'come on, I know how hard you have worked to get to this point.' Some were tired but others were determined to go on.' Shepard said when she arrived home, her mother told her someone had taken a video of her. McKenzie finished his Comrades in 11:34 minutes, bagging the Vic Clapham medal. 'This really meant a lot and will encourage me to do good,' said Shepard. McKenzie, who runs under the colours of Westville athletics club, described this year's down run as being the most difficult race he has ever run since he begun his Comrades journey. His Comrades also came after he faced health complications, which made it even more difficult. 'It was getting late and getting dark. Even though I was facing my fair share of challenges on the road you notice things around you and I also noticed the young girl who was supporting other runners, and was pacing up and down. I thought it was very special,' said McKenzie. He said he knew too well how panic starts to set in when you are on the stretch of the road with just nine kilometres to go to the finish. 'Maddyson was, however, helping other runners in putting one foot on top of another,' said McKenzie
IOL News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
12-year-old Comrades cheerleader explains kind motive behind act that captured the hearts of South Africans
Grade 7 learner Maddyson Shepard (centre) gets a huge shout out and support from her class mates at the Northlands Primary School in Durban, for her efforts at the Comrades Marathon run. 12-year-old Maddyson Shepard has captured the hearts of thousands of South Africans after enthusiastically cheering exhausted runners at last weekend's Comrades Marathon. In a video which went viral in the past week, the Grade 7 learner from Northlands Primary School in Durban was seen giving high-fives and enthusiastic cheers to runners, even jogging alongside them for brief stretches. The barefoot cheerleader has been widely praised for her display of pure selflessness, with her warmth and energy becoming emblematic of the Comrades spirit of unity, perseverance and heart. 'I just thought if I were running, I'd love someone to cheer me on,' she said softly, at a special event held at her school this week, where representatives of fast food chain Wimpy presented her with gift packages and vouchers.
