For the umpteenth time, ring official Simphiwe Gceba swapped his boxing gear and donned his running shoes to compete in the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday.
In the end, Gceba, who’s normally seen being the third person inside the ring, calling the shots as two boxers pummel each other, finished the 89,98 kilometre down-run race in eight hours, 49 minutes and 33 seconds.
And to date, Gceba, who works for the Road Accident Fund (RAF), has 21 medals, which he won after taking part in the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon in the past 15 years.
“I started my running career in 2009 with RCS Gugulethu Athletics Club in Cape Town, participating in local races. I then decided to take part in my first Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon in 2010. I have since won 11 Two Oceans and 10 Comrades Marathon medals,” Gceba said.
Since 2010, the East London-based ring official has missed only a few editions of the Comrades Marathon owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and some other commitments.
“Currently, I run for the Road Accident Fund Athletics Club. We do club runs on Saturdays and Sunday mornings. We also issue weekly club training for our members to train on their own in the morning or afternoon,” Gceba remarked.
With the 2025 edition of the Comrades Marathon done and dusted, Gceba, the 2019 Most Promising Ring Official award winner, who believes that road running is a therapy with health benefits, will now continue with his second love – being a ring official at boxing tournaments in the Eastern Cape. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
My Champion, my hero I’m so proud of you.
You go champ
Sure, Simpra! Do it! You CAN and I’m without doubt anything related to sport is your sport. This I say with specific reference to BOXING (I’ve been watching you performing as the BOSS of the RING) & of late the Marathon you’ve just run.
I can see from the media pictures of yourself that you’re FIT like 10 devils want to or killing an innocent person.
“Keep it up!” Bra.
Your Heart, Body, & Soul are in it. I can see that inside you the drivers are LOVE, PASSION, & ENDURANCE.
What an example for upcoming Sport Lovers!
UXELELE noLHOLHO KWENZIWA NJANI.
I bring both my hands for you, Simpra! “Ndikothulel’uMnqwazi!”
Every Sportman/-woman TRY, and TRY until you TRY no more!