Inanda Dam Training Run celebrates 10 years

Since its inception a decade ago, the Inanda Dam Training run has become one of the most anticipated running events in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Traditionally hosted in December, the 2021 event is scheduled for the 16th of this month and has already seen some household athletics names confirm their participation.

Some of these names include three time Comrades Marathon champion Bongumusa Mthembu as well as Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, who took 11th place at the 2019 Comrades Speaking to #TheTopRunner, Prodigal Kumalo who is the founder of the event, expressed the joy of seeing the interest shown by athletes this year's run. He believes the turnout will be even bigger than previous years.

"I'm so happy with the way people have supported this Training run this year. It shows that the work we have been doing in the past 9 years hasn't gone unnoticed," said a delighted Kumalo, who is also a Comrades Marathon's gold medalist.

"These runs help athletes to bring unity amongst them since there is no prize money up for grabs. This year, we are happy that the likes of Bongumusa Mthembu, Phantane Athletics Club runners, and some top runners from Johannesburg have confirmed their participation. This is the good news and entries are coming fast," he explained.

Bong'musa Mthembu and Prodigal Kumalo run shoulder to shoulder (centre). Mthembu has confirmed his participation for this year's Inanda Dam Training Run. Photo Credit: Cuan Walker.

Kumalo who runs for the Hollywoodbets Athletics Club colors has bigger plans in place for this event. "Of course, there are plans in place to grow this event but we have to think properly on how we implement them," said the two-time Ultra-Trail Cape Town winner.

"I'm hoping to introduce an official race which will go under the same name. That would be nice for people to get to run around the iconic Inanda Dam. Plus we want to stop the trend that most successful races have to be hosted around the Durban City Centre. If we host the race, it has to be in January since there are no marathons that month in the province. Those are plans for 2023," he concluded.

A variety of distances from 30km to 50km are available for runners to attempt at the 2021 The Inanda Dam Training run, with entries ranging from R100 to R200.