Meeting the humble athlete Eric Ngubane from Cato Ridge, you can’t help but admire his total dedication to his sport of choice – long distance running.
Story by Sophie Thompson; pics by Val Adamson
In the picture: Jackie Moore and Eric Ngubane enjoy a jog along the beach ahead of the Umhlanga 12km/18km Trail Run and Walk
“My school principle from Ziza Mele High School pulled me aside from soccer practice one day and convinced me I should concentrate on road running,” said Ngubane. “He said my running strides were more suited to long distance running than the fast, stop start strides in soccer. I trusted his judgment and have never looked back.”
Ngubane, who is gearing up for the next milestone in his life, turning 30 next year, smiles, “I hope to celebrate my birthday season with a top ten in the 2012 Comrades.”
The proud athlete has five Comrades Marathons under his belt, with a career best of finishing 18th in the 2009 ‘Down’ run. Ngubane has also completed the Two Oceans Marathon three times. “My best time for the Two Oceans is 3 hours and 26 minutes. My times are stored in my memory, I have worked very hard to earn those and I am very proud of them!”
And work hard he has. The 29-year-old runner rises every morning around 3am to cram in as many kilometers as he can before work. He averages around 35km a day with a run in the morning and then as the day cools down, he hits the road after work to fit in an afternoon session. “To keep up with the professional athletes, I have to train as often as I can.”
Currently, he is concentrating on the shorter distances to build up his strength and speed. “I am doing a lot of trail running, which helps keep my mind strong. You really have to concentrate off-road where you are putting your feet because it is never predictable. Running along the rugged changing terrain also strengthens your ankles.”
His next race is the upcoming Umhlanga 12km/18km Trail Run and Walk, where he is the defending champion. “I am looking forward to the Umhlanga race as it is very demanding, yet not too technical. You run through rivers, sugar cane fields, along tar and dirt roads. There is also a section that you have to duck and dive the bush in the Hawaan Forest, with a finishing stretch along the Umhlanga beach. It is extremely scenic; you can’t run in a more diverse race in Durban.”
Outside of running, he still is passionate about soccer as he cheers for Orlando Pirates and Manchester United. “I find time to kick the ball around, but nothing too serious.”
The father of two dreams that he will train with his sons, but hopes that if they become passionate professional sportsmen, they end up playing either cricket or tennis. “It is still a way off, my oldest is 3 years and youngest is 7 months. Cricket and tennis are a lot more recognisable and certainly have a more rewarding salary at the end of the day,” he chuckles.
If you would like to join Ngubane for a sunrise run in Umhlanga, contact buzzhilde@vodamail.co.za or online at www.umhlangatourism.co.za. Entrance fee is R100 for the 18km race and R60 for the 12km race, which includes breakfast. Great prizes will be up for grabs!
Find out more about the Umhlanga 12km/18km Trail Run and Walk here.
