The marathon where heroes are forged

The Comrades Marathon has been the making of many a South African athlete, including the legendary Wally Hayward, says Graham Jooste.

- Graham Jooste.

The Comrades Marathon, the world’s oldest ultra-marathon, was the brainchild of First World War veteran Vic Clapham, who came up with the idea as an annual commemoration of the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers during the war.

Clapham had been part of a monumental 2 700km pursuit by British forces of German and African troops under General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck through sweltering German East Africa, and had been moved by the resilience of his fellow soldiers. He therefore wanted the race to be a unique test of physical endurance. The constitution of the Comrades Marathon states that one of its primary aims is to “celebrate [humankind’s] spirit over adversity”.

SMALL BEGINNINGS

The first Comrades took place on Empire Day (24 May) in 1921, and was run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. A total of 48 runners originally entered the race, but only 34 lined up for the starter’s gun at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Most were ex-infantry men.

Ahead of the runners was a daunting dust road, which was only tarred for a few kilometres outside of Durban. A time limit of 12 hours was set for the contestants to finish the race. The 90km course had no watering stops and the runners relied on passers-by or the odd second who had driven ahead to supply them with water.

Injuries were inevitable. Most were to feet and ankles, caused by tramping on loose stones on the uneven and sometimes corrugated surfaces. A number of the runners ran in army boots!

The tradition of people cheering on the runners began in this first race, with young boys even running short distances with the participants.