Gels, goals and green numbers: Inside the mind of a Comrades regular
With just days until the 2026 Comrades Marathon, ECR's Shaina-Rae sat down with Durban runner and coach Nic Acampora for insight on what it takes to toe the line at the Ultimate Human Race.
The race that keeps calling him back
This Sunday's race is the 99th edition of Comrades and a historic one, marking the 50th Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg over an officially measured distance of 85.777km.
More than 21,000 runners will line up for the start.
His goal for Sunday
For Acampora, a runner, coach, and exercise rehab specialist, Sunday's race marks his fifth Comrades Marathon attempt. He isn't shy about his ambitions: "6:20 is the goal," he said, which translates to roughly 4:25 per kilometre over the brutal course. He's halfway to earning the coveted green number awarded to 10-time finishers.
What he actually does on race day
Acampora breaks down his race-week philosophy: stay calm, don't panic, and skip the pasta-loading hysteria. He shares his meticulous gel-based nutrition strategy, targeting 100g of carbohydrate per hour, and reflects on the vital role his seconding team will play on the day.
The question everyone is secretly asking
Can you finish Comrades on four weeks of no training? Acampora's answer may surprise you.
The 2026 race theme is Ska Fela Moya, Setswana for "Don't Give Up", chosen from over 200 community submissions. This message resonates with Nic's determination, as well as the perseverance of every runner taking on the Comrades challenge this Sunday.
Listen to the full interview at the top of the page or directly below.
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