COMRADES NEWS
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Museums play an important role in collecting and preserving history for the present and future generations, and the Comrades Marathon Museum is a vital part of preserving the rich history of this iconic race.
Since the first race in 1921, the Comrades Marathon has captured the imagination of not just South Africans, but also many people around the world, both runners and nonrunners. Since those early days, the race has seen many brave people the long and daunting road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, and each year builds further on the rich legacy and tradition of the event.
The Comrades Marathon Museum at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg, which is one of only three dedicated road-running museums in the world, first opened its doors to the public in 1988 and aims to collect and showcase this incredible history.“ We have a wonderful record of the history of the race contained in books, documents, photographs, newspaper articles, and historical objects,” says Comrades Museum Curator Elrica Henning.
“ Some of the stories will make you laugh, others will leave you profoundly moved and amazed … and all will make you realise that if people didn’ t take the initiative to record these stories over the years, since 1921, then we wouldn’ t be able to enjoy them today!” she adds.“ We not only want to share these stories that have been recorded in the past, so that our runners can also enjoy the rich history of the Comrades Marathon, but we’ re also busy collecting stories of those who are still alive, so that we can tap into this rich resource of information and keep the tradition of recording the history of this majestic race alive.”
If you have a Comrades Marathon story from the past to share, please email elrica @ comrades. com.
Visit the Museum
Come and enjoy some of the Comrades Marathon Museum’ s unique historical collection on display, and be inspired by those who made Comrades history. The Museum is open Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 16h30, and there is safe parking available on-site. You’ ll find the Comrades Museum at Comrades House, 18 Comrades Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg.
Images: Comrades Marathon Museum
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