DOUBLE VICTORY FOR LISWATI IN COMRADES MARATHON

MBABANE – The country’s Ironman lady competitor Karen Hemmingsson was the first Liswati to cross the finish line in the Comrades Marathon.
She also clocked a personal best in the 93rd Comrades Marathon on Sunday.

Karen, who competed under the Manzini Striders Athletics club, finished the 90.184km race on 9:55 hours. The race started from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
She was competing in the road race that attracted over 20 000 runners from all over the world for the third time.

Coming second among the Emaswati was Bongekile Shongwe from Manzini Striders who finished after 10:05:54 hours while Happiness Mthethwa clocked 11:01:54 hours. Karen said after competing in the Ironman in April, she wanted to finish the Comrades Marathon with improved time.

“My coach put me on a programme that focuses more on strength. This Comrades was my third and the 9:55 hours’ time is my personal best and what has made it extra special is that I was the first Liswati female runner to complete the race,” she said.

Karen said on race day, she felt strong even though she had a muscle spasm at her back but her legs felt great to carry her throughout the 90.184km.
“My nutrition was on point and I had my endurance drink after every two hours and at halfway I had something to eat. I will definitely continue with my training programme as next year I want to raise the bar and hopefully be one of the  female Liswati runners to achieve a bill rowan which is a run done under 9 hours,” she added.

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