Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 120, July 2019 | Page 25

ROAD RUNNING
MA: Thanks for the
chat, Camille. Let’s kick
off with a question about
this year’s Comrades.
You started as defending
champion of the Up Run,
but unfortunately did not
complete the race. Firstly,
how did it feel getting out
back onto those hills?
CH: It was just as gruelling
as I remembered. In fact, I would
say it was easier two years ago,
because I had two healthy legs,
whereas this year I unfortunately had
an injury, but I still enjoyed the magical
environment and everybody cheering for
me and recognising me. I definitely enjoyed
the energy out there. The Comrades is magical.
I love the community and energy behind this race,
which makes you feel really special, so I was ecstatic
to come back.
I’ve actually had quite the journey at Comrades,
because in my first in 2014, I had a stomach
virus and collapsed at 83 kilometres. I ended up
in an ambulance, and then into the ER, but that
performance inspired me to eventually come back in
2017, which I won! Unfortunately, it wasn’t my year
now in 2019, but I definitely feel inspired to come
back and try to win the Down Run.
MA: Is that on the cards for next year?
CH: Yes, if everything works out. Even though this
year’s race wasn’t my day, it made me realise again
what it takes to win, and how it feels. Two years ago
I was so in the moment when I did win, and I want to
come back and experience that magic again. I would
love to have that moment again of breaking the finish
line tape and the shooting of the confetti and all that,
because it’s just so special. And it just makes you
want to try again.
MA: So what happened this year?
CH: I tweaked my hammy in a trail race back in
April, but after taking a couple of days off I got back
to running and actually had a really good build-up to
Comrades. I felt much stronger than I was two years
ago, and so I thought my body was ready to handle
the race, but unfortunately the Comrades is brutal, it’s
a lot of climbing. About 25 to 30 kays into the race, I
realised that my hammy was just not letting me climb
like I remember climbing two years ago. It was a real
struggle, loving being in the race, and being in the
moment, and really enjoying and appreciating all the
spectators and volunteers out there, but also having
an injury that was limiting me from performing like
myself.
Connor saw me at 35km to go and said he could tell I
just didn’t have the power in my step this year to run
like myself, and told me I should call it a day. I was
determined to stay out there and get to the finish line,
and I was just trying to use the people cheering me on
to propel me, but at the same time, I’m a professional
athlete, and I had to make a decision that’s right
for me. So I have to give credit to my husband for
making that call. When Connor finally pulled me off
the course, it really went crazy, because everybody
wanted to take selfies with me! I was disappointed,
but that made me realise how much inspiration I was
bringing to other people, so you know, I was able to
create a positive out of the situation.
Powering to the Comrades title
MA: Tell me about the selfie requests... Do you
find that you get recognised a lot?
CH: Oh, yeah, I probably have the most famous hair
in South Africa! I must have taken over 500 selfies on
this trip, and it’s been pretty amazing to come back
and to feel like a rock star. Winning comrades is kind
of like winning the Boston Marathon, and it’s such
a big deal here. I actually think I am better known in
South Africa than in my own country, and it feels good
knowing I can be appreciated for what I do. It makes
me want to keep coming back.
MA: That’s really cool! So after the selfies next to
the road, what did you do after bailing?
CH: We were able to go further along the course
and see Gerda coming through. She just looked like
she was in a magical moment, and she had that same
sort of focus that I had when I won. It’s really cool to
see somebody else having that, and knowing that it
was going to be her day. Then we were able to get to
the finish line, and see that she was going to break
six hours. Even though it wasn’t my day, I feel very
honoured that I got to be at the finish line and see
that really magical moment for her. That record could
stand another 30 years. I mean, she’s probably the
only person that could break the record, and I’m really
happy for her.
MA: You and Gerda are team mates in the
Nedbank team, which really is a global mix of
international runners these days.
CH: I love my Nedbank team. That was a huge
part of me coming here, because I don’t have a
club like that back in America. We have so many
superstars on our team from all around the world,
and it’s great to come here and meet somebody like
Chrissie Wellington from the UK, and my American
and Canadian teammates. It’s really special that we
can get so much talent together to represent the
Green Dream Team, and I really appreciate the club’s
support for the international athletes, which makes
it a truly world class event. I also feel like I’m kind of
an adopted South African, and I love the pride that
people have for their country. I mean, it just really
melts your heart.
One of my best memories is from 2013, when I
ran my first ultra at the Two Oceans Marathon in
Cape Town. I was on the Nedbank team with Ellie
Greenwood and Caroline Wöstmann, and I remember
driving the course with them. We had three future
Comrades champions together in the car, but back
then we didn’t know the path that we would go on to
eventually become champions. I can reflect back on
it now, how cool it was that our stars aligned for us to
all go on and win the Comrades.
MA: So it was actually the Two Oceans that
brought you to this country for the first time?
CH: Yes, and I fell in love with South Africa from my
first experience at Two Oceans. Now here we are, six
years later, flying back to Cape Town. I’m excited for
my husband to finally see it, and we’re going to enjoy
Camille loves the vibrant
support in SA races
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