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'I want to win it for Limpopo' - Proud Chauke targets Comrades after Border to Border success

Writer's picture: Lebohang PitaLebohang Pita

Long distance runner Proud Chauke is plotting to become the first runner from Limpopo to win the Comrades Marathon since Ludwick Mamabolo in 2012. The work to do that began on February 1 when Chauke clocked 3:54 to win the 63km Border to Border ultramarathon, from the Lebombo Border Post in Komatipoort to the Mananga Border on the SA and Eswatini border. This race formed part of the Pan African Resources top runner's Comrades Marathon training block, which began last year and included training weekly high altitude in Dullstroom.


"I'm happy with the win. I won it easily, with a gap of almost 9 minutes. It made me believe in myself and also trust the process. It shows that we are on the right track," he said. "The preparations are going well. Training at altitude has helped me stay fit. I also train a lot in Joburg. You can never say you've gained nothing from training in Dullstroom. It has greatly increased my fitness to make sure I'm at my best before we go there for our Comrades camp," Chauke told #TheTopRunner.


Chauke wins the 2024 Johnson Crane Hire 42km. He is targeting his first Comrades gold medal in 2025. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.
Chauke wins the 2024 Johnson Crane Hire 42km. He is targeting his first Comrades gold medal in 2025. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

He will officially go into his Comrades camp in the Mpumalanga town, which sits at 2 100m above sea level, in April. Chauke has packed his 2025 season with ambitions. The main goal is the tough task of grabbing his first Comrades title or at least finishing inside the top 10. "The goal is to win the Comrades. If I finish the camp injury-free, I am going to fight at Comrades."


Chauke was spotted by Steve Hugo after winning the 2022 Edenvale Marathon in 2:33:48, running for Fourways Road Runners. Hugo introduced him to renowned ultra-distance coach John Hamlett and he joined Hamlett’s Comrades training camp, which included 2015 Comrades champion Gift Kelehe. He finished that year's race 109th in 6:45:20, for a silver medal. In 2023, he clocked a personal best of 5:41:52, finishing in 25th to earn a Wally Hayward medal. 


Proud on top of the podium at the Border to Border 63km. Photo Credit: Supplied.
Proud on top of the podium at the Border to Border 63km. Photo Credit: Supplied.

After starting 2024 positively with victory at Johnson Crane Marathon and clocking his marathon PB of 2:26:11 for sixth place at the TracN4 Elands Marathon, a shin splint hampered his up-run preparations. He finished the 85.91 distance from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in 51st in 6:02:35 for his second silver. "I knew I was not in shape. After 65km, I felt pain on the shin. I then decided to run my own race," Chauke said.


Fully recovered and approaching peak fitness, Chauke believes if he stays injury-free, he will better his down-run record when he lines up outside the Pietermaritzburg Town Hall on June 8. "I'm going all out for Comrades. As per my fitness, I'm ready. I want to win it for my province. It’s been years since we had a Comrades winner from Limpopo."

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