INSPIRATION
The
Golden
Oldies
They say that age brings wisdom, so we chatted to some of the oldest living Comrades runners, to find out what they remember about their first Comrades, what inspired them to run the Ultimate Human Race, and whether they have any advice for today’ s runners. – BY ELRICA HENNING
Mike Gierke( 95)
Active Years: 1954 to 1997 • Medals: 33( 16 Silver, 17 Bronze) • Green Number: 72 • Best Time: 7:19:00( 1973)
CM: What inspired you to tackle
your first Comrades in 1953?
MG: My good friend, Colin
Knowles, challenged me to race him from Addington Beach to South Beach and back, or until one of us gave up. Neither of us did, so we challenged each other to run the Comrades from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. I baled at
Pinetown and Colin at 45th Cutting, but that was the start of my Comrades journey. liberating.
CM: Having seen the race evolve over the years, what do you think were some positive changes?
MG: A good one was doing away with individual seconds and providing tables, and providing tags for the runners’ shoes to record the time passed at halfway, etc.
CM: Your tally of 33 medals is a tremendous achievement. What advice do you have for runners whose goal is to be awarded the coveted Green Number?
MG: Never give up. Just keep to the training schedule and enjoy your running.
CM: What do you remember about that day? MG: I just remember the agony of running in my Natal canvas sand shoes, and the feeling of relief when I slumped into the car at Pinetown, resolving to finish the next year.
CM: What type of shoes did you wear when you finished 13th in the Up Run in 1958?
MG: I can’ t remember the brand, but they were state of the art for that time, and infinitely better than Natal canvas sand shoes!
CM: In 1975 you participated in one of the most significant races in the history of the Comrades Marathon, when the race was opened to everyone for the first time, regardless of race or gender. What do you remember about that historic event?
MG: Seeing everyone enjoying their run together was incredibly
Neville Shuttleworth( 95)
Active Years: 1963 to 1980 • Medals: 10( 5 Silver, 5 Bronze) • Green Number: 322 • Best Time: 8:00:45( 1967)
Neville finished 10 Comrades Marathons between 1963 and 1980, earning five silver and five bronze medals. He obtained his Green Number during his last race in 1980. His advice for runners who are aiming to complete 10 Comrades
Marathons is fairly simple:“ You must have determination to finish. Keep trying. It’ s worthwhile trying to achieve your expectations.” We also asked Neville what his recipe is for reaching such a ripe old age, and he said:“ I have a good wife. She has taken good care of me all these years.”
70
He lifted the weary, easing their load, A beacon of light along life’ s road. His kindness shaped both young and old, A soul of warmth and a heart of gold.
Though Neville’ s journey is almost past, He’ s built a legacy that’ s sure to last. For all he gave and all he sought, He’ ll live forever in those lives he taught.
( Excerpt from a poem by Brian Swart, Green Number 709)
Images: Courtesy Athletes, Comrades Museum