Thathe Msimango
The 2016 Comrades Marathon women’s champion Charne Bosman is recovering well at home after contracting a virus that attacked her muscles during the race last month.
Bosman pulled out of the 90km marathon at the 65km mark after experiencing some muscular pain which made it difficult for her to continue. At the time, she was well placed among the top 10 leading women.
“I think I should have not started the race at all. I was not feeling well but I told myself that it was just race anxiety,” said the veteran runner.
“I think I gave it my all on the race day in order to run a good time but I had some problems after the halfway. My muscles became stiff and I was forced to stop. I was transferred to a hospital where I spent three days and doctors confirmed that I’d contracted a virus. I’m glad I stopped because the worst could have happened to me.”
Bosman, who runs under the Murray & Roberts Running Club, believes weather conditions had no effect as they were perfect for running.
She added that she was happy that she was recovering well and doctors are working hard on her behalf.
“I’m feeling great and will be back into training soon.”
Two runners died during this year’s “down” run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Mzameleni Mthembu of the Hollywoodbets Athletic Club died after suffering a heart attack. Phakamile Ntshiza of the Adventist Athletics Club died on Monday 29 August.
More than 70 runners were taken to hospital on the day, with two still in the intensive care unit.
Comrades Marathon doctor Jeremy Boulter said dehydration may have been the cause of the high hospitalisation rate following the marathon.
He said that most runners did not consume enough water to last the entire 90km, leading to several runners collapsing throughout the race.
