I don’t remember when I first heard about Comrades, only that people who I deeply respected spoke very highly of it, and it became one of my earliest “bucket list” races. When I tried my first 50 miler and it took 14 hours, it felt like a distant dream to take on a hilly 55ish mile road marathon in South Africa with hard 12 hour cutoff. Today I got a chance to participate in the event, and I can tell you I completely understand why in one friend’s telling: “If you do one race in Africa do Comrades. If you do two, do an up run and a down run at Comrades.” This year is an up run, from the seaside town of Durban to the KwaZulu capital, Pietermaritzburg. 54 and change miles over endlessly undulating hills. You’ll pass by a school for disabled children whose smiling, cheering faces will remind you when you are suffering that you are tremendously lucky to be here in this moment and you should not forget it. You will see (and this happened today) people stagger into the finish in the last moments, stutter step, and fall only to miss the 12 hour cut off. No medal, no high five, just “Good try. Work a bit harder, and come back next year to try again.” The spirit of sport. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Today was a win for me. I hoped for better but I finished and that’s good enough. Fun Fact: While Comrades was created in 1921 this was only the 94th running. The race was suspended from 1941-45 during the Second World War. Note to Vermont City Marathon RD: This is an acceptable reason for cancellation.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe…
Special hospitality areas for novice (first timers) runners, international runners, and green number (10+ finishes) participants
The map of the “up“ run: 87 km (54.4 miles) with five major hills known as “The Big Five” ala the African wildlife: Cowies, Fields, Inchanga, Botha, and Polly Shortts.
In the start corrals as spectators gather at the post office.
After the South African National Anthem and a few other songs we were off.
Something I wish my friends had mentioned before. This race is like Disney in that you will be cheek to jowl with people for the entire race. Lots of jostling and where’s my medication
Islamic temple on the edge of town.
View from the top of Botha’s Hill if I recall correctly. We caught some air.
Can’t say I’ve ever had to ask myself “Can you finish a half marathon in 3:20?”
As you can see the crowd never really thins out.
Comrades counts down the distance. Let’s be honest. You were doing it in your head anyway.
Comrades wall of honor. You know those places where you have 60 minutes to eat a 24 lb burrito or whatever. It’s like that. Only different. Real explanation in next photo.
Green plaques in the previous picture denote 10 or more completions
I told you that bib would make me look like a truck.
Comrades is an international spectacle. Swiss, German, Americans, Brazilians, British, Japanese, and Russian just to name a few
At the half way point, when you’re just starting to get very tired, and hot, and feel sorry for yourself you come upon the Ethembeni School. These are physically disabled and visually impaired students. These students work hard every day to overcome obstacles I will never face. When you’re aching and want to quit, the sight of these kids reminds you how flimsy your excuses are. Now quit whining and finish this.
Hospice? Really?! I mean I feel like I’m dying but come on.
This is the 10:30 bus (their word for pacer) a few people recommended to me but it was exceptionally peopley so I kept my distance.
Another view another hill. I’m going to say Polly Shortt’s. Not to be confused with Paulie Shore. Buh-die.
This guy did the whole thing in a suit. Wow.
Finisher medal is laughably small for you bling whores. I ran almost 87 km for this? Yes I’ll be donating it.
Again SO. MANY. PEOPLE. I may have kneed a guy in the groin accidentally on purpose. Related the experience of getting a bus and leaving took forever. Next time I’ll stay in the finish location until the next day.
Attack of the giant international bib. Comrades insists upon 2 giant non-functional bibs (front and back) so I shall look like a truck with an oversized load.
Neat hat. Should be windy so I’ll wear a buff instead.
Got my finisher patch, now how to affix to my eye…
Good quality shirt, but the color doesn’t really suit me.
