A Durban University of Technology (DUT) alumnus, Khayelihle Ngubane from Swayimane, on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, is preparing to run the Comrades Marathon for the seventh time. He will be amongst the 30 DUT athletes who will be taking on the gruelling Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 14 June 2026
His Comrades Marathon journey began in 2014 when he attended the start of the Comrades Marathon outside Pietermaritzburg City Hall as a spectator. Witnessing the excitement of runners, the camaraderie among participants, the singing of the national anthem, and the iconic playing of “Chariots of Fire” left a lasting impression on him.
“The overall atmosphere rubbed off on me. It gave me goosebumps, and I made a commitment to myself that in 2015 I would be one of the runners lining up at the start outside Durban City Hall. The rest is history,” said Khayelihle.
His preparations for this year’s race have involved months of disciplined training, often beginning before dawn alongside his training group. Following an intensive programme designed by his coach, Khayelihle has averaged approximately 420 kilometres of running each month since November 2025.
“The preparations have been going well. Most of our training is done in the early morning hours, and it requires commitment and consistency,” he explained.
As a seasoned distance runner, Khayelihle says the sport takes athletes through a wide range of emotions.
“It’s a mixed bag of emotions, ranging from disappointment when you don’t meet your targets in training or during a marathon, to excitement when you overcome setbacks and achieve your goals. At times you deal with doubt and fear, but nothing compares to the joy of crossing the finish line,” added Khayelihle.
For Khayelihle, nutrition also plays a critical role in his preparation. He shared that his diet focuses on carbohydrate-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, amadumbe, samp and beans, complemented by vegetables including spinach and butternut to support endurance and recovery.
Heading into this year’s race, Khayelihle’s goal is simple: to improve on his previous Comrades Marathon time while enjoying every moment of the experience.
To fellow DUT runners, he offered words of encouragement: “You’ve already done all the hard work. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve whatever target you have set. Go out there and represent the DUT community with pride. Most importantly, stick to your plan, run your own race, and don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the race.”
Pictured: DUT alumnus, Khayelihle Ngubane.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma
