Seven of the 30 pacesetters chosen for the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon are from the Free State.
The huge running event that will be taking place in Cape Town this weekend, 5 and 6 April, will see 324 Free State runners taking part.
Pacesetting is important for runners who want to finish in a predetermined time.
One of the experienced pacesetters that will run sub-4:30 is Claus Kempen. He started running socially in the Eastern Free State ten years ago and is now part of a group of national and even international pacesetters.
“It is a huge privilege and a wonderful journey. I am very excited to be pacing again,” he said.
His message to the runners that will be “passengers” in his bus, is “running is everything”.
Nkosinathi (Nathi) Singonzo will run sub-5:30. He has been pacing since 2016 and is the chairman of the Free State Pace Setters.
“I am proud of our team performing so well. They really work hard to achieve these times.
“They only have one minute to play with to be successful, and all runners in a ‘bus’ depend on them.”
Tumelo Motsabi (DJ Nyeps) will run sub-6:15. He has been pacing for two years, and this will be his third pacesetting this year.
He already completed two 4:20 marathons and a 4:00 marathon.
“I am glad I will be pacing with one of the people who introduced me to pacing, Moss Seabo,” he said.
“If you start to feel tired during an ultra, do not worry – you will get over it. Walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up as we roll Chapman’s Peak this coming weekend,” is his encouragement to other runners.
Tankiso (Moss) Seabo will run sub-6:15 and says he believes in strength training.
“When it gets tough, I tell my self ‘pain is temporary’ or ‘comfort zone must fall.’ ”
Sandros (Tumo) Mokhatla will run sub-6:30. He has already completed five marathons this year.
There are also two women who will set the pace for other runners.
Magdaleen (Maggs) Kemp will run sub-6:45. She has been pacing for three years and already paced six events in 2025.
This includes three marathons, of which one was an international marathon in Rome earlier in March as well as one half marathon and two 10km-races.
Her advice is: When things are tough, remember why you are doing it.
Another woman setting the pace this year is Natasha (Tash) Arndt, running sub-6:45. She started pacing two years ago. This year she paced one half marathon.
Her advice to other runners is to have fun and let gravity do the work.
Tash completed three Two Oceans Ultra Marathons and three half-marathons.
There will be 189 runners from Free State clubs doing the ultra marathon; 135 doing the half-marathon; and 13 will take part in both the ultra marathon on Saturday and the half-marathon on Sunday.
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