The approx 89 km Comrades Marathon is known as the ultimate Human Race. The word Comrades aptly describes this race, and this becomes clearer when one sees how the inexperienced or older runners are supported along the way by the stronger runners and urged on by thousands of supporters. Often one sees a runner whose legs just cannot hold him/her any longer, almost being carried across the finish line by fellow runners.
The race commences at 5:30 and ends at exactly 17:30, so the last one to cross the line has been running for 12 hours non stop, absolute madness in my eyes; some swearing this is their last Comrades, only to see them return the following year!
This strenuous race is run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, with the start alternating between these two cities each year.
This year was the 93rd race, and it was a down run - from the city hall of Pietermaritzburg at an altitude of 636 metres, to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban at only 5 metres above sea level.
I took one of our guests, Danel, to watch the race as her husband and a friend were running.
Watching the runners, I was struck again by how our lives can be seen as a marathon.
Our guest Anru, running his second Comrades, made it to the finish line in time.
Often in life, we all go through some real tough times, and feel like we're going to collapse under the strain, but somehow we always find strength to carry on.
We were watching at the bottom of a very steep hill - KZN has many green hills - this runner certainly battling and obviously not looking forward to the steep hill ahead. He was sure to meet up with a fellow Comrade who would offer help, or perhaps he is just a loner, like many of us, and prefers struggling along on his own, like many of us.
I have wonderful family and friends who I know I can always rely on during difficult times.
This mass group is what is referred to as 'the bus', so if you're a struggling runner, be sure to stay on the bus as one of the 'passengers' for sure will help you stay on the road to success.
Some of us walk through life carrying heavy burdens - if only we let go of those burdens and set ourselves free, or share that burden with a willing hand or ear!
As we run through life, we often have close friends looking out for us - be thankful for those friends.
Some of us really struggle at times, and get to the point where we have no choice but to let our loved ones take over, be it physical or emotional.
I was laid low a couple of years ago with a badly fractured ankle & other foot badly sprained. I learnt just how caring people really are during that painful period!
Here someone is helping a friend in a wheelchair - there were two wheelchair entrants this year, apparently they both made it to the finish line in time, thanks to a helping hand from a friend.
Apologies for the fuzzy photo but the wheelchair passed us by so fast I almost missed it.
Then we go through happy times - we can laugh, be crazy, be silly, and just have good fun.
There were many tutu clad guys and dolls.
Another runner having fun with crazy headgear.
Many of us have friends who are faced with the scary big C, or other illnesses, and we get involved with causes.
Elvis having fun but also doing a good deed - running for cancer.
Then life runs smoothly and we go about our normal daily routine - life's a breeze.
We also won our own personal race!
Our young guests two days after the race, not hobbling any more and smiling brightly as they achieved their goal.
We were also blessed with hosting the daughter of the oldest surviving Comrades winner - 5 times winner, 86 year old Jackie Mekler. This amazing man has written an unpublished autobiography, an inspiring story of how he started running long distance to get away from the pain of growing up in an orphanage.
He now is a motivational speaker at this ripe old age!
Hope you enjoyed watching the Comrades Marathon with me, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Always remember, we're all Comrades, all in this race together, so look around and grab that helping hand when you're struggling!
A huge thank you to @ericvancewalton for initiating the #blockchainmemoryproject for storing our memories here on steemit.
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Looks like a great challenge! One day. Maybe ;)
Hope you get to run this one day @adambarratt, thanks for stopping by :)
Thats so amazing the Comradry amongst the people running and the spectators. It would be so wonderful if it continued through every day life. If we all do our little bit in our own lives . we cauld maybe make the world a better place. I also love the Comrades and the comradeship of the people. lovely pictures you took as well.
You're so right @artywink, would be a different world if people treated each other like that!
Enjoyed a walk down memory lane @lizelle my husband started 14 and completed 12 Comrades. Lot's of preparation needed prior to the run, not everything happens on the day.
Earlier years when we traveled down from Johannesburg (1st 2 years before moving to Durban). The run had about 4000 runners, so seconding was done by 2 of us women, driving, stopping getting water/food to the 6 men, not always running together.
11 hours was given to complete the run (12 hours now allowed) it was fun, tiring, rewarding, now I enjoy watching on TV thanks. Congratulations to your young friends for completing.
Many wonderful stories and history attached to this wonderful annual event.
WOW @joanstewart, very well done to your hubby, and you as well! I know it's hours of preparation, sure you used to trek along to all the qualifying races as well!
Our young friends are very new to this, but she did not want to follow them all the way, so we went to the bottom of Cowies Hill & watched them come through there!
It was so inspiring hearing about Jackie Mekler as well, an amazing man!
Would love to hear about your Comrades memories, sure you have quite some stories to tell!
Thanks for tour awesome support @joanstewart :)
Life is a marathon. When the chips are down, that's when you know who your true friends are.
So very true @cecicastor! I've really been blessed with having the most amazing friends, fortunately only one or two fell by the wayside during the tough times ;)
I am tired just from seeing the pictures and I never ran a step, 12 hours is a very long time, just how many that entered actually finished in the time allowed? If I were inclined to even try this race I would only do it every other year, I would only do it in the downhill years.
Hey mr Papper, apparently 21 500 runners entered online (that was the cut off number) and almost 17 000 completed in time. It's always so sad to see the runners who don't make it after the end of race gun is fired! Some say the down run is harder on the knees, I prefer watching the race :):)
Thanks for stopping by mr Papper, have a great Tuesday!
I am not a runner and never have been but it might make sense about the knee thing sometimes walking down hills the knees seem that they can be a little more unstable because the foot has farther vertical distance to hit the ground each step.
Watching would surely be my choice I know that.
Watching/ supporting is the wise thing to do when it comes to the Comrades yet the runners get hooked, I can understand it seeing the camaraderie amongst them, quite a challenge. The winners get rewarded very well too!
You're so right @lizelle...I've never run marathon, only a half but my boyfriend has run a couple and they're such a challenge but shows strength of character. We all have the fight within us to overcome difficulties and get through tough times :) following you now.
Thank you @joham, I'm also just a marathon spectator, only running the race of life ;)
Coming from KZN I know this race well. A well written article and some cool pics.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to accept help, to not feel like you are a burden and to get over our egos., but as I have learnt once or twice, it is okay to let go of our insecurities and to leave pride outside - ask for help when you need it....
You're right @freewheeler, the hardest part is asking or accepting help! Thanks for stopping by :)
When I lived in KZN I used to watch with my family and friends every year. It really is one of the greatest races and manages to bridge so many of our countries divides. Now that I am a runner I better understand (even if it is on a smaller scale) what these runners must go through and experience on the day.
That's awesome @gholsa, I'm just a spectator and that alone was a lovely experience so can just imagine how special it must be to be one of the runners!