The Comrades marathon is an annual event, run between the South African cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The direction alternates each year. This year was a “down run”  and ended in Durban. The race was traditionally held on the 31st of May each year, or the nearest Saturday, if the public holiday, fell on a week day. The new ANC government scrapped Republic Day and moved the race to Youth Day on the 16th of June each year. This year, for the first time the race was held on Sunday 17th June and despite the threat of many religious groups to boycott the Sunday event, a large crowd entered the race. The 2 week and continuing strike, by Government and Municipal workers, also threatened to mar the event, but fortunately they never interfered at all.

The Comrades Marathon is reputed to be the toughest ultra marathon race in the world and since South Africa’s acceptance back in to the international sports arena, in 1992, the race has become a highlight in many international runner’s program. The race has attracted much attention from foreign athletes, sponsors and charities alike. Over the last few years the Russians have dominated the podium. 

The Comrades, is as the name implies, an event for comrades and people of all colours, sizes, languages, ages and origins,  participate. What is unique about this race is the comaraderie, where people enter for fun, people help one another and many at true sacrifice to themselves, attempt to carry and motivate a less fortunate individual, to the finish. Many run in fancy dress, in an attempt to bee seen by ther TV cameras. The whole day’s activities are broadcast on television, from the start at 5.30 am, right up until the official cut off time at 5.30 pm.

Along the route, which winds through several small towns, all sorts of facilities and amenities are provided. Water tables, loud music, cheering spectators, leg rubs and first aid posts are the order of the day.  For this race 1.1 million water sachets, 600 kg of potatoes, 120 portable toilets, 100 kg of Vaseline, 54 kg of Deep Heat, 400 cases of bananas, 100 cases of biscuits, 40 000 litres of Coca Cola, 480 pockets of oranges, 1 ton of chocolates and energy bars are provided for the runners as well as towels, face cloths, plasters and many other products for the tired runners. 50 refreshment stations are manned by over 4000 volunteers.

The course is 89.3 kilometres long and winds along the old main road from Durban to Johannesburg. This year 11 927 runners officially entered the race, with 446 coming from other countries. The oldest contestant was 76 years old and the youngest was 20. Something like 350 000 spectators were expected to line the route.

Two separate races are run within the Marathon, with a ladies and a men’s race. Separate times, records and prizes are held for each category. This year saw Russians finish as the first two men and first 3 ladies. The long standing record for the down run held by legendary Comrades king, Bruce Fordyce, was broken this year.

No serious criminal incidents were reported this year, but unfortunately, the medical toll was worse. Apart from the usual dehydration, cramps, aches and pains, blisters,  headaches and abrasions from falling, 2 deaths were recorded. No specific reasons have been given yet, but it is thought that one was due to heart attack and the other to serious dehydration.

Derek Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. He and his wife Sally have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. 
  
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