The Comrades Ultramarathon in South Africa

When the inspiring notes from Chariots of Fire soared through the quaint South African city of Pietermaritzburg, I imagined even the stately Blue Cranes, the South African national bird, stood still as the famous Comrades 89 Kilometer Race was about to begin. Palpable, the excitement and anticipation were seen, felt, and heard not just by the thousands of serious runners who had trained hard and long for this strenuous event, but also by the eager spectators who were clamoring for a vantage point to experience what has become not just a famous event for South Africa, but also for the world. And when the race began at 5:30 AM, the runners quickly raced forward for the time begins at this signal, not when the runners clear the starting gate. Eight minutes is what it took our son to pass through as he joined the 20,000 other runners surging forward while the clock ticked for them all.

In 1921, Vic Chapman, a World War I veteran who had witnessed first-hand the hardships associated with war, wanted to honor his fallen comrades, and from his vision, this race -- a celebration of courage and camaraderie -- was born. In the long run, his vision has become an inspirational event for the world.

At the bed and breakfast where we spent the night, Anna had tried to prepare us for the splendor of the race and the magnitude of the task before our oldest son. We knew the race was huge -- 56 miles is no small feat -- but to experience it first-hand was beyond what we expected. Televised all day long, the country cheered when the signal was given to begin this ultra marathon, considered by many to be beyond what is remotely possible. Runners must have the physical strength as well as the metal strength to succeed and then some more. In fact, everything in this country can be summed up in that one word – more, a word whose synonyms I’ve exhausted. Simply, our experience in South Africa is more than we imagined it would be. And at the beginning of our stay a week ago, the Comrades was no exception.

Exchanging the panoramic view of those sweet, green fields of sugarcane for the close-up look at the sweaty, determined faces of the runners was an equally sweet moment for us. Training, tenacity and commitment along with desire to accomplish something beyond the norm were apparent as these serious runners, admired by the thousands of cheering fans, ran and walked and sometimes limped along the winding route through the famous Valley of the Thousand Hills in the province of KwaZulu-Natal from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Just like its beautiful host country, the colorful athletes were inspiring to watch as they snaked down the majestic hills outside the village checkpoints while all of us in the crowd, overcome with emotion at the sight, felt honored to be watching. As a high school teacher and lover of literature, I couldn’t help thinking about the athletic events of ages past where the athletes were respected and admired to such a degree that a touch from one of them was thought to cure inferitility. Reid remarked later that the cheering crowds were filled with amazingly positive energy as they urged him forward, encouraging #30110 from the USA, while the bands played, the children screamed, and native dancers delighted the crowds.

No mere marathon even though it’s billed as the Comrades Marathon, this race is also referred to as “The Ultimate Human Race,” a bittersweet event for years of training doesn’t always equal success. Overflowing with emotional moments, runners who do not achieve the checkpoints by a specific time are immediately bused back to the starting line and not allowed to continue; the Comrades is tough.

In the words of Alan Payton, "There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it." And yes, in this Beloved Country, those hills were definitely “lovely beyond any singing of it.” And in this land, the hills were also crying for triumph isn’t achieved by merely finishing this strenuous race, but only by finishing in 12 hours. Also a bittersweet moment as we found out first-hand when our incredible son, having made all checkpoints in the race, was only 2 Kilometers out when the 12-hour time was called.

And when we found him propped against a tree shortly after the race was over, he simply said, "Wasn’t that something?!”

Oh, yes! The Comrades was something indeed! And so was he!

The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 12, encourages us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us." I now have a whole new perspective!

For information on this annual historic event, go to: www.comrades.com.