INSPIRATION
Eric Webster( 97)
Active Years: 1989 to 1994 • Medals: 3( all Bronze) • Best Time: 10:54:39( 1993)
CM: You’ ve lived through significant events in our history, such as World War II. Do you have any memories of those years?
EW: I was not called up to the army.
However, I do remember that we had periods when we papered up the windows so that the lights would not be seen by people from across False Bay. We also built trenches in the mountain above us, to hide in, in case the enemy actually attacked us.
CM: You only ran your first Comrades in 1989, in your 60s. What made you decide to enter?
EW: When I turned 60 in 1987, I decided to join a running club. I felt I would like to run
a marathon, and I successfully ran the Vaal Marathon in 1988. By this time, I was setting my sights on the Comrades! Some of my running mates spoke of this great race, and to prepare myself, I also ran the 56km Milo Korkie in Pretoria.
CM: Take us back to that day when you lined up at the start of your first Comrades...
EW: I remember the excitement of getting up early and making my way to the City Hall. As I stood waiting, my mind was racing, but I tried to remain calm, awaiting the great challenge. Once the race started, it took almost 10 minutes before I crossed the starting line. Eventually, we were in the streets of Durban, and soon we could hear the roars from the stadium. We had 11 hours to complete the race, and I made it with about 30 seconds to spare! Comrades legend Wally Hayward finished the race about a minute and a half ahead of me.
CM: Your last race was in 1994, which was also a historic year in the history of South Africa, with the first democratic elections being held. How did you feel when you ran the Comrades shortly after that election?
EW: There was a spirit of excitement in the air as we ran the Comrades, knowing that we were living in changing times.
CM: Do you have any advice for novice runners? EW: A lot depends on one’ s mental attitude. Once you decide that you really want to run the Comrades, you are well on the way. You must also make sure that you enjoy running, so that it becomes a pleasurable challenge. Then, build up slowly until you are comfortable to tackle the Comrades.
David Martin( 89)
Active Year: 1959 • Medal: 1( Silver) • Best Time: 10:55:28
CM: Your ran your first( and only) Comrades in 1959, tell us more about that day...
DM: I ran the gruelling Down Run on a complete whim. I entered the night before the race with my friend, Billy James. We were in high spirits after a few beers, and I really thought it was doable, because I wasn’ t completely unfit. The day was a hoot from the start, with people cheering me on. Midway down Fields Hill, my friend Billy seized
up, and that hill damn nearly eliminated me too. I collapsed at the bottom, and it seemed it would end there, but some pals who happened to be at that spot wouldn’ t accept mere paralysis of the legs as an excuse, and hauled me to my feet. The final stretch to the finish at Kings Park was a close-run thing. I finished stone last, in 70th place out of 103 starters.
CM: We hear that there was quite a funny postscript to your run … DM: When painfully hobbling into a sports shop the next day, the owner commented to an elderly lady customer:“ That man ran the marathon yesterday,” to which she responded:“ My God, and he’ s a cripple too!”
Back in the Day …
Many words have been written about the Comrades Marathon, and many legends of the race have left us with unforgettable quotes. Here are a few of our favourites, quoted from a few well-known books.
“ On 24th May, 1921, I was at a scout camp in Pinetown and watched with awe and admiration the tired and dusty runners as they passed through Pinetown in that very first Comrades. I got tied up with it that day and have been tied to it ever since.” – Comrades veteran Vernon Jones( from‘ Ultra Runners All’, published in 1983).
“ I wrote to Comrades Marathon founder and secretary, Vic Clapham, 115 Greyling Street, Pietermaritzburg, and was thrilled to get his reply letter with its‘ Welcome Maniac’ opening and homely if starry-eyed and undetailed advice.” – Comrades Marathon historian Morris Alexander( from‘ Ultra Runners All’, published in 1983).
“ After the race I was feeling decidedly queasy and started retching. My dentures( which weren’ t tied down!) ended up on the track, in full view of the camera. Two first aid men( or possibly soldiers) arrived with a stretcher and unceremoniously bundled me onto it.” – Five-time winner Wally Hayward, after his last race in 1989( from‘ Just Call Me Wally,’ published in 1999).
Things were done a bit differently in 1935!
“ I do remember the tremendous joy I felt as I entered the stadium for that wonderful final lap. I remember vowing never to run the race again, and then changing my mind the very next day. I also remember most of my toenails falling off...” – Nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce( from Bruce’ s book,‘ Run the Comrades’, published in 1996).
Elrica Henning is the Museum Curator at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg.
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