A case for endurance: Natala Mathebula

About Natala

"I'm currently a Candidate Attorney at Lebethe Attorneys & Associate Inc. at their Limpopo Office.

My first degree was a BCom from the University of The North, now called the University of Limpopo.  After graduating, I spent my first few years as an educator.  In 1993, I went to study further at Wits and completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Management (HR).  The following year, I joined the Edgars Group and ran HR in the Northern Division, before moving to Score Supermarkets (a Division of Pick 'n Pay) from 1996 until 1999, when I started Makhuva Consulting, a management consulting business.  I ran this entity until I finished my LLB in 2023 and started serving articles."

On enrolling at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law

"I had a stint at another law school, but things did not go as I had expected.  As I was at the tail-end of my articles, it was prudent to find an institute that would accommodate my need to complete my 150-hour PVT sooner rather than later." 

Running my first Comrades

"I have always been actively involved in running from an early age.  In my high school days, I used to sprint, but I wasn’t interested in this as it took students from classes; we had to go for training during school time.  After graduating from university in 1985, I started running with the then Gazankulu Gallopers, now called Giyani Gallopers." 

"It was only much later, after surviving a health scare that I decided that I was going to run the Comrades Marathon before I turned 60 years old."

"Covid-19 happened, so my plans were dashed, but two years later, we were able to run the Ultimate Human Race.  I was quite excited to register for the race, which I ran on 28 August 2022.  The bug bit, and I have not missed it since.  My life schedule now revolves around preparing for the Comrades, and my people know that the date is almost sacrosanct." 

The 2026 race

"The June 14 race was an up-run.

I know I am not very strong with up-runs, so I had to work much harder because my previous up-run was an embarrassment to me, albeit I finished the race in 11:21:04.  This was over two hours slower than my previous down-run, which had been 09:11:13.  I spent my time training on terrains that I am uncomfortable with: hills.

Training for Comrades requires a lot of discipline and sacrifice.  It takes serious willpower to even train because one knows that not finishing is a huge possibility.  For me, preparation is threefold: mental, physical, and spiritual.

1. One must be mentally ready, because as you train, you have hundreds of questions going through your head.  The biggest question is:  Why should I really go through all this torture?  Is it worth it?  I am not going to win any money, so why struggle and have sleepless nights?  Once you conquer that personal discouragement, you are one up. 
2. The body takes a lot of beating all through the training season.  You have to know that there is always a cost to pay if you are to attain anything you want.  For example, in our club, Mzansi AC, we have monthly kilometer targets from January until May.  You have to do your best to reach those kilometers.  If you must run after work or before work, so it shall be. 
3. Spiritual discipline is a key aspect of my life.  I am unashamedly a follower of Christ Jesus, and my motto is #MakingJesusFamous, which is also printed on my main running T-shirt and other running paraphernalia.  I just have to make sure I comply with the ASA Rules regarding what’s on my gear." 

Up or down?

"I have always preferred the down-run because I find it easier.  I know some runners say the down-run is difficult because you have to 'apply brakes' as you go down.  I believe I have mastered the art of running down. 

This year, I was ready for the up-run as I trained differently.  I managed to slash 89 minutes off my previous up-run and earned a Robert Mtshali in 09:52:47.  Although I did better in this up-run, I still prefer the down-run, and I hope to get a better medal next year."

On facing challenges

"My training was quite smooth, although I had to juggle studies with my training.

On race day, just like any day in the office, some things could go wrong.  In my case, I had opted to use my village race results for seeding for this year’s Comrades, and I was placed in Group 1, Wave E, which was a bit of a disadvantage for me.  It took me too long to wade out of the crowd and throng of runners, so I decided to abandon my race target quite early in the day.

I can safely say that because my training was rigorous, there were very few challenges as the body was ready.  Only the early clogging was the challenge, which made me try to catch up.  I expended too much energy trying to do that, until I realised it wasn’t going to be."

"I have a cause that I personally run for.  I survived a dreaded disease, so that remains my inspiration." 

Race fuel

"I love my brown bread with peanut butter and jam.  It has worked for over the years, and we don’t fix it if it’s not broken."  

What's next?

"My training for the 100th Comrades will start after I take some time to serve those club members who support us during our Comrades training.  In June and July, I'm serving at waterpoints so that our servers can have the time to run.  Most of them are not Comrades runners, but social runners who dedicate their Saturdays to serving us."

Last updated on 22 June 2026.