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EDITOR ’ S PICK
COMRADES THREE GENERATIONS JOURNEY …
In 2016 I obtained my Comrades Marathon Green number at age 65 . I had started running in 2004 and ran my first Comrades in 2005 , going on to complete 10 Two Oceans and 10 Comrades ultras , and earning my permanent Blue and Green numbers respectively . I completed a few ultra trails as well .
After reaching my goal of 10 Comrades , I decided to retire from ultra-running … or so I thought . I had a year ’ s break , and then my son and grandson persuaded me to come out of running retirement and run a Comrades Marathon of three generations in the family with them in 2018 . My son Robert had completed three Comrades and was going for his fourth , and my grandson Jaryd his first .
So we started on the road to the Rougier Lagane 3 Generations Comrades dream . We ran our qualifying marathon together and trained with our clubmates at weekends , but shortly before the big day Robert underwent knee surgery and we thought our dream may not be realised after all . However , with good management and wise rehab training , he was soon back on track . monumental . Then , 11 hours , 30 minutes and 91.187km later , we were handed a huge banner by my wife with the words , “ Rougier Lagane 3 Generations .” My son and grandson held it aloft and I was in the middle as we finished together . The euphoria , sense of pride and accomplishment and love I felt is beyond explaining . I had run my last Comrades , in my Green Number , together with a son and grandson , and with enormous support of family and friends . I could not have asked for a greater end to my ultra-distance running . – Herve Rougier-Lagane , Durban
Love this story , which shows yet again how running brings people together . Congrats on your 11th medal , Herve , and enjoy your ultra retirement . – Ed .
On the 10th of June , on a cold Pietermaritzburg morning , we did not start together , as they were in D seeding and I was in E as a Green Number runner . The plan was that we would meet along the way when I caught up to them , which I did at Camperdown . From then on we ran together with Bruce , a dear friend of the family . He became the Captain and kept us grouped along the whole way , monitoring our progress . At times I was finding the boys ’ pace too fast , and Bruce had to restrain them to run at my pace . There were times I doubted myself , but the picture of running into the stadium as a threegeneration family kept me going .
Our spouses , partners , family and clubmates followed our journey on the road and via the internet , and the encouragement and support we had was
RUN FOR FUN , PACE FOR RACE assured by my husband that the route was relatively flat , bar a couple of hills at the beginning and the end .
On the umpteenth hill , near the finish , I was very nearly done ! It had seemed like a marathon , never mind a 10km . On passing a couple – how I did that I ’ ll never know – I noticed that the chap was leading a younger woman and they shared what could only be described as a chest expander . As I passed them , my shout out was that I wish I had someone to pull me up the hills ! And then to my absolute embarrassment , I saw the label on the woman ’ s shirt : BLIND RUNNER !
I took up running some six years ago at the tender age of 56 , and when it comes to racing in the Western Cape , one is spoilt for choice . Whether it be road or trail , there is always an abundance of races to choose from . Lucky us ! Well , I entered the UCT Memorial 10km road race , and was
I muttered an apology and hoped they hadn ’ t heard me , because I was humbled by the very fact that here she was running along , complaining about nothing . This certainly gave me food for thought . Be grateful and thankful always , and be careful what you wish for . – Gill Koch , Cape Town
In years gone by I ran as a guide for a blind runner and most of the time she was pulling me up the hills ! Jokes aside , it is very true that we easily forget to appreciate what we have , or can do . – Ed .
Images : Jetline Action Photo
6 ISSUE 110 SEPTEMBER 2018 / www . modernathlete . co . za