EDDIE RUDOLPH
GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
25 years ago Jeppe Athletics Club wanted to mark its millennium year with the Twilight Marathon , starting in the afternoon and finishing in the early evening , the concept was something different and fresh , so the Pick n Pay Twilight Marathon came into being . By Keith Reynolds
My story starts 25 years ago on the eve of 19 February 2000 . This race was a unique concept , and I was excited to undertake a marathon in the evening - especially since it was different from the traditional morning run . It must be noted that I was no stranger to the race , this was to be my 5th run on the then-Jeppe Marathon course , an event that I always enjoyed running .
The field was filled with many friends from my club and many other runners I had gotten to know over the years of running races . Needless to say , the race attracted a large field , all drawn to the idea of running into the twilight . My run went well , and I finished in position 112 in a time of 3:23:53 . But while I was celebrating that finish-line triumph , we received the tragic news that fellow club member Eddie Rudolph had passed during the race .
From feedback we received after the race , Eddie had decided to withdraw from the marathon at half-way . Just a few steps after the 21 / 42 km race split , on his way to the finish area he collapsed and fell to the road . Apparently , he passed away mid stride and there was nothing anybody could do to revive him , despite trained people reaching him within seconds .
His untimely passing rocked the club and other runners . At the time he was training for his 9th consecutive Comrades marathon . Eddie had made many friends in the community over the years he had been in the marathon and ultra running circles . It was a big loss to all of us who had gotten to know Eddie .
This year marks the 25th year of his passing , and to commemorate Eddie I will be running the Jeppe Marathon to complete the race that he was not able to . This mission has been on my mind for a number of years as we looked for ways to honour Eddie ’ s memory .
The original plan was to locate the number that Eddie was allocated for his final race and run my run in that number . Despite many attempts to determine the original number , we were not able to find it . I have been blessed though with great support from the Balwin Sport Jeppe Marathon race committee who went all out to support me once they heard of my plan .
So while I won ’ t be running this year ’ s race in Eddie ’ s race number , I will be running with a number displaying the name ” Eddie ” which is a lot more fitting for a memorial run than being just a number .
Eddie , you have not been forgotten . May this run , dedicated to you , bring back great memories for all family and friends who knew you .
42 Balwin Jeppe Marathon 2025