THE ROUTE
Prepare for the Big 5
There are now 12 runners who have completed the Comrades Marathon 40 times or more , and all are considered experts on all things Comrades . Not surprising after running the roads between Durban and Pietermaritzburg so many times ! And one of the most experienced in this elite group is Barry Holland , currently on 44 medals , along with Louis Massyn , just one behind all-time leader Dave Rogers ’ 45 medals . So who better to tell you about the Big 5 hills of the Comrades Up Run ( and some of the other ones , too ) than one of the biggest of the Big 40s ?
There ’ s a famous saying that goes something like this : “ I ’ ve doen it so often that I know it like the back of my hand .” Well , that would be an appropriate way of describing Barry Holland ’ s intimate knowledge of the Comrades route . Having run it 44 consecutive years , driven it countless times more over the years , coached hundreds of fellow runners to their first Comrades medals , and even written a book about it , he obviously knows a thing or two about how best to approach the route . Take it away , Barry !
SECTION 3
HILLCREST TO TOP OF INCHANGA ( 34KM – 46KM )
LET ’ S TALK SECTIONS , PEOPLE
To plan your race , it helps to break the course into sections . This sorts out time splits , knowing where you should be by when . It is also helps psychologically , because these sections break the course into manageable chunks — it ’ s easier to get your head around an 18km section than the whole of the 89km course . You will also run sections differently , putting your foot down in some to gain some time in the bag , while in others you may be best served by caution and just grinding it out .
SECTION 1 :
START TO TOP OF FIELDS HILL ( 0KM – 24KM )
The start of the Up Run is a monster . You are climbing virtually from the gun . Up Berea Road , up Blackhill to 45th Cutting , up the highway to Westville , up Cowies Hill ( first of the Big 5 ) and finally the longest hill on the Comrades course , and second of the Big 5 , the mighty 3.2km Fields Hill . You need to start the Up Run slowly . Be very cautious until the top of Fields Hill . Obviously , you cannot fall too far behind schedule , but only the reckless and the foolhardy will attempt to get ahead of schedule . As you begin the ascent of the mountain that is Fields , the sun will peak over the horizon . Let it warm your heart , because there is so much more to come .
SECTION 2
TOP OF FIELDS HILL TO HILLCREST ( 24KM – 33KM )
After what you ’ ve encountered over the first 24km of the Up Run , the trip to Hillcrest offers an opportunity to relax a little and regain some time . Don ’ t be fooled , however , because you are still climbing steadily , though there are no major hills here . Get into a good rhythm and soon the kilometres will be slipping by . I believe that on Comrades day you must take every opportunity where you find it , and this is certainly a section where the course gives a little back .
This section is very hard and you need to grind it out . From the dip after Hillcrest you climb Botha ’ s Hill , third of the Big 5 . The Kearsney schoolboys are at the top , helping to pull you up the final stretch , and then you drop down past the Rob Roy and climb again to Alverston . Drop down into Drummond and don ’ t forget to say hello to Arthur Newton at Arthur ’ s Seat . After the halfway mark at Drummond , you face one of the most revered hills in world road racing , the mighty Inchanga , fourth of the Big 5 hills . It ’ s a beast . Look out for the painting on the rock of the little Indian man . He is the emblem of the Natal Canoe Club . When you see him , you ’ ll know you are not far from the top of Inchanga . That will mean you ’ ve ground out a very tough section . The first half of the Up Run is certainly one of the toughest standard marathons in the country , so be generally cautious . A reckless first half is something you ’ ll regret later .
SECTION 4
TOP OF INCHANGA TO UMLAAS ROAD ( 46KM – 69KM )
This section again offers some respite after the tortuous first half of the race . Apart from the little horror just outside Camperdown , there are no serious hills in this section . However , it ’ s the hills with no names that often bite with the sharpest teeth . This is still the Up Run , so please don ’ t start
Images : Courtesy CMA
18 Comrades Training & Information Guide 2017