Today was the 93rd running of the South African Comrades Marathon. This is an ultra marathon and the worlds greatest test of human endurance. It is run over 90 km and every alternate year starts in Pietermaritzburg and ends in Durban. and the following year, it is run in the opposite direction. The route is full of hills and flats.
Runners are allowed 12 hours to complete the race.
The magic of this race is that runners are of all ages, sizes, nationalities and from different walks of life. In this race, one witnesses the human spirit at its best. Strangers encourage one another along the route, spectators line the route and they begin arriving at different spots from 4.30 am to support their own as well as those participating in the race.
The atmosphere is electric throughout the race and thousands of volunteers give up their time to ensure the smooth running of the race, to hand out fluids to the runners, to assist with injuries and to help those who battle along the way.
Today 18500 runners began the race at 05.30am. The winner of the mens race time was 05:26:34 and the lady winner came in at 06:10:04. Folk in wheelchairs were pushed the whole route and another runner did the race on crutches as he is an amputee. What always strikes me is that there are thousands of different stories given for the participation in this race. The race is run in memory of loved ones, for different charities, sometimes the runner carries a marriage proposal on a banner, and many, many other personal reasons for enduring the harshness of the race. It is an unpredictable race as there is a change in atmosphere as well as temperature which affects the muscles.
To participate one has to make many sacrifices throughout the training and qualifying period and for me as a spectator the saddest thing to see is when the final gun shot rings through the stadium, and these men and women who have been running for 12 hours do not qualify as a finisher of the race. Unbelievably they all promise to be back next year to give it another go.
To me, every participant in this unbelievable race is a Winner.
I am just trying hard to connect with you thanks.
Hi @gustiranda , I am following you so I look forward to your posts.
ok i just post