Lindsey Parry advises the Comrades Marathon runners not to overtrain

As the primary coach for the Ultimate Human Race, Parry emphasized the importance of meticulous preparations during this critical phase, given that it’s still mid-February with several months remaining until the main event.

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With thousands of participants anticipated to converge on the streets of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Parry underscored the significance of avoiding subpar programs to ensure every entrant has a fair chance of completing the race successfully.

“As we transition from February into March, runners must maintain a balanced approach to their training regimen,” advised Parry.

 “While it’s essential to gradually ramp up preparations as April approaches, it’s equally important not to overexert oneself at this stage. My advice to runners is to prioritize listening to their bodies, adhering to a nutritious diet, staying hydrated, avoiding overtraining, and progressively breaking down their daily running sessions. This methodical approach will set the foundation for successful long runs as we near the culmination of preparations,”  

Parry also weighed in on the elite competition, anticipating a swift in both the men’s and women’s races.

 The current Up-Run records stand at an impressive 5 hours, 24 minutes, and 39 seconds for the men’s category, set by Leonid Shvestov of Russia in 2008, and 5:58:53 for the women’s, achieved by Gerda Steyn in 2019. 

Despite these formidable benchmarks, Parry thinks that both records could be in jeopardy this year.

“This year, mark my words, we’re likely to witness the shattering of both the men’s and women’s records,” stated Parry confidently.

“Adel Broodryk isn’t just participating to fill the ranks; she’s determined to seize victory, not settle for second or third place. Gerda Steyn is fiercely focused on surpassing her record, putting in rigorous training sessions to achieve it. Bongmus Mthembu is gearing up for a remarkable comeback, aiming to break records, while Tete Dijana stands out among the Nedbank Running Club contenders. If the weather cooperates, there’s a real possibility that both records could be seriously challenged,”