When Channelle Makhele crossed the finish line in 9:28:20 at this year’s Comrades she knocked a massive 2h15 minutes off her debut run in 2019. Whilst this is an impressive achievement, it was only good enough to earn her 124th position on the most improved list. However, it’s her response to her DNF in 2023 that earns her the accolade of best comeback at Comrades 2024.
Channelle’s 2023 run is documented here: The Nightmare on Epworth Street (Safety negligence at Comrades breaks bones and shatters dreams). Her run ended before the 5km mark on the Nightmare on Epworth Street with a badly fractured fibula. Not realising the seriousness of her injury, and in an incredible feat of sheer bloody-mindedness, Channelle refused to throw in the towel and decided to try and walk to Durban. She got as far as the Fat Cats seconding crew at Umlaas Road (24km into the race) before calling it a day and ended up spending the night in hospital.
Last year I left Channelle’s story at, “One major operation later to realign the joint and put in a plate and screws, and Channelle faced six weeks before she even gets to the start line on the long road to recovery and rehabilitation.” Here’s what happened next…
The fibula break was severe enough that Channelle had to re-learn how to walk properly and she admits the time on crutches took a heavy toll on her mental health. After a lengthy period on crutches she was finally able to move to a moonboot in August under the guidance of my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Frank Peters. Channelle worked diligently with her biokineticist, Anca Wessels, on targeted exercises focussed on strengthening her right leg and was soon transitioning from moonboot to ankle brace.
With September came the good news that she could start running again – but only on grass. However, despite the excitement to be running again, Channelle was frustrated at how slowly she was running. Her simple solution to focus on the joy of being able to run again rather than her pace and her simple solution to achieve this objective was to leave her watch at home.
Channelle had already booked flights and accommodation for October’s Cape Town Marathon before the leg break. Whilst the marathon distance was obviously out of the question, she was given the green light to run the Sanlam Peace 10km. Her right leg was healing but now it was time to test the psychological scars, “This race was more about overcoming my fear of running in crowds and silencing the thoughts that I would get hurt again. The start was filled with anxiety, but after 3km, I settled into the race, and there was no pain! I finished under 1 hour, and crossing that line felt like a victory. I had won the battle with my mind and overcome my fears.”
In January she started thinking about Comrades and whether a return to the start line was possible in 2024. She knew she was way behind schedule but her coach, Sithembele Sihunuza, reassured her that she had nothing to worry about.
Sithembele put together a marathon program, Channelle put in the work and the Balwin Dolphin Coast Marathon in the middle of March was targeted as a qualifier. Not only did Channelle manage to qualify for Comrades but she also came away with a personal best time of 3:44:22.
Coach Sthe prescribed two weeks of rest after the marathon and then Channelle joined the SkhindiGang Comrades program, focusing on long runs and quality time on the road. She lined up at the start on 9 June with about half the mileage that she’d done in preparation for Comrades 2023. However, 2024’s run was not about time or medals, “It was about gratitude, celebrating the simple yet profound ability to run again.”
Channelle is a single mother of two and this lioness prides herself in giving back to the community. She has her own heart project called Creating Smiles (which you can follow on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/creating_smiles_1_day_at_atime/) that uses running to raise funds to buy school shoes and uniforms for under privileged children. After someone in network noticed that Childline KZN was one of the official Comrades charities, they suggested Channelle raise funds for them. Channelle signed up to the Childline KZN #Run4Charity team and, after having to throw in the towel in 2023, she threw on the Childline banner she was given in 2024 and ran with it from start to finish.
Everyone who has run Comrades will tell you that the mental challenge is as big the physical challenge. For Channelle it was get past the mental block of 24km. However, she was taking off her gloves and jacket at the first Fat Cats table (and had already conquered two of the Big Five hills) when she realised that she was already 6km past her 2023 “Game Over” marker.
Whilst this Fat Cat might have lost one of her nine lives in Pietermaritzburg in 2023, she made a triumphant return on the afternoon of the 9 June, “The second half was a dream. I was moving well, more present in the race, greeting along the route, smiling, and genuinely enjoying every stride.”
She managed to meet up and run much of the way with one of her fellow SkhindiGang members, Nqabisa Ndodana. However, this year was Channelle’s opportunity to nurse an injured friend, Pemmy Matsunyane, walking and running the final few kilometres together. Hand in hand they finished in 09:28:20, a PB for Channelle one year after the devastation of a DNF. Asked whether she would change anything about this year’s race, “Absolutely nothing” was her short and simple answer.
Comrades will break the weak. Sometimes even the strong need to take a break from Comrades. Comrades tested Channelle Makhele’s mettle and she’s come out tops. When she lined up at the start of the ill-fated 2023 race, Channelle was targeting a Bill Rowan medal. After four starts and three finishes, I am looking forward to seeing what Channelle #5 achieves in 2025. As they say in the classics, this is a breaking story…
Afterword
You can follow Channelle’s running journey on X https://x.com/cmakhele86 and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chasinggesiggie/. Here’s Channelle’s story in her own words.
All photos in this article were supplied.
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A very inspirational story, and a very strong minded lady. I wish both her, and the charities she supports well in the future.
Love love loved reading this. Great and inspiring read. @Channelle We love you and well done
Well done Gesiggie, you the best…come 2025 you will definitely break your own record again, as they say “sky is the limit”, for you the sky is no longer the limit, fly higher and higher wena sana.