Comrades Supplement Comrades Training and Info Guide, January 2016 | Page 7

out exactly what drives you, and an opportunity to unite on the roads in
running camaraderie.
That is the thinking behind the Comrades Marathon Association’s 2016
race campaign, IZOKUTHOBA – IT WILL HUMBLE YOU. With every
step, every breath, every bead of sweat…
You will be humbled by the history and the traditions of this
great race. Like the playing of Max Trimborn’s legendary cock-crow and
the hauntingly beautiful Chariots of Fire theme music at the start, and the
laying of flowers at Arthur’s Seat near the halfway mark in Drummond, in
order to assure a good second half of the race.
You will be humbled by the famous Big Five hills, and the many
others in between. Runners take on Polly Shortts, Inchanga, Botha’s,
Fields and Cowies, names that have become famous around the world for
the humbling challenge they present, and even more so for the elation
they provide when you crest them – but remember that there are quite
a few hills with no name that will challenge you just as much, so prepare
well for this challenge.
You will be humbled by the camaraderie of running alongside
fellow athletes from every walk of life. From chief executives
and managing directors to humble clerks, domestic workers, drivers or
packers, the Comrades brings them all to the road, and during the race, it
doesn’t matter what your job, income or qualifications are, every runner
faces the same physical and emotional challenge – and thus you are all
equals on the day, helping each other to get to the finish.
You will be humbled by the global unity of the event, with
runners from all around the world joining you out on the road.
This year’s race will include runners from 70 countries, including far-flung
nations like Australia, Russia, Japan, the USA and many European and
African countries. It’s the United Nations of running.

Images: Courtesy CMA

You will be humbled by those running to raise funds for the six
Amabeadibeadi official race charities. Many of these runners will be
wearing their Amabeadi beads around their necks or on their wrists, or
sporting the colours or logos of the charity they support, as they run for
more than themselves.

You will be humbled by the 6000 volunteers doing duty
along the route. These people willingly assist the runners, many
of them returning year after year, to make race day run smoothly by
marshalling, handing out refreshments or looking after the every need
of the runners.
You will be humbled by the crowds of supporters lining the
route, driving the runners forward as they play their part in
this great race. Tens of thousands of people come out to support the
runners, many of them staying there much of the day to cheer on every
passing runner, from the elite front-runners all the way to the last backmarkers.
Most of all, you will be humbled by what you have achieved.
Finishing the Comrades Marathon and taking home that small but
precious medal is what it is all about.
And the same goes for the millions more watching on television. It is
a humbling experience to witness all those runners putting one foot in
front of the other as they work their way between the two great cities,
and the sheer emotion of those runners reaching the finish is sure to
pull at one’s heartstrings.
That’s why the Comrades Marathon is the greatest ultra-marathon
in the world. It starts with an incredible camaraderie, and ends with
a united spirit. And that’s why it will humble you, whether you are
a runner in the race, race-day volunteer, spectator on the route,
supporter back home or a television viewer. Because this is the
Ultimate Human Race.
IZOKUTHOBA – IT WILL HUMBLE YOU

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