Q&A with…Nick Bester

Country: South Africa

Profession: Nedbank Running Club National Manager.

Nicknamed ‘The Iron Man’ Nick is an icon of South African endurance sport, having completed 15 Comrades Marathons, with a total 9 golds and one win. He has also completed the Duzi Canoe Marathon and Midmar Mile swim. Transitioning out of elite sport, Nick has been the trainer and manager of the South African Marathon team, and now manages the Nedbank Running Club.

What has been a defining moment in your career?

I always saw myself as a rugby player, and for extra fitness, decided to start running to practice every day. When I was 24 years old, for fun I entered a 8km race and fished 24th out of 5000 runners – it was then that I started to see myself as a runner.

What was the first thought that went through your mind when you heard the Tokyo Olympics had been postponed?

I thought it would only be for a couple of weeks and was not concerned.

Which superpower would you like to have?

For me, musicians like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen are superheroes, and so I would love to have their superpower of making music and song.

When under pressure, what do you say to yourself to help you get through it?

“I know you can make it” is what I tell myself, because I believe in my abilities to get me through a situation.

What three things you would take with you if you were to be stranded on a desert island for a year?

Wine, coffee and a music player

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