COMRADES CENTENARY
together . Furthermore , the gathering was attended by 18 male Quadruple Green Number holders or female Triple Green Number holders ( including winners Alan Robb and Tilda Tearle ). These are the Comrades stalwarts who have completed 40 or more Comrades ( men ) and 30 or more ( women ), including all-time leading Comrades finishers Barry Holland and Louis Massyn , who have conquered the Comrades 47 times each – and all in consecutive years !
TRIBUTE TO HISTORY
The day ’ s festivities started off with 35 of these VIP runners ( 20 winners and 15 Quadruple / Triple Greens ) participating in the 1921 Comrades Marathon Tribute Run , a symbolic re-enactment of the 1921 Comrades Marathon , which saw 34 starters take off from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall 100 years ago on 24 May 1921 . However , instead of running to Durban , they ran 2.2km from the City Hall to Comrades Marathon House in Connaught Road , and to really create an old-time atmosphere , the runners were outfitted in running kits similar to the 1920s era , thanks to CMA sponsor Mr Price , and led through the streets by a vintage 1918 Studebaker Light Six Tourer .
The Centenary Run was led by a vintage 1918 Studebaker Light Six Tourer
Fordyce was determined to get his 10 th Comrades win
Nearly all of the Quadruple Greens who ran , joined by Kenny Craig
The arrival of the runners at Comrades House heralded the start of the formal Comrades Centenary Celebrations , which included the unveiling of a Centenary Monument , reflecting both the soldiers associated with the origins of the race , and the heroic healthcare workers currently battling the pandemic that prevented the staging of the 2020 and 2021 Comrades Marathons . Another highlight of the day was the cutting of a giant birthday cake .
CMA Chairperson , Cheryl Winn – herself a former winner in 1982 – did the welcome address , and she said , “ The Comrades Marathon remains a living memorial to the suffering , loss of life , spirit , fortitude and camaraderie of the soldiers with whom its founder , Vic Clapham had shared the devastation of World War One . A significant aspect of the day is recalling the brave early pioneers , including those who completed the distance unofficially when the race was restricted exclusively to white males .”
“ As well as our winners , heroes and record-breakers who have consistently inspired us with ever-improving competitive performances . Today we also celebrate the so-called ‘ ordinary runners ,’ for whom there is nothing at all that is ‘ ordinary ’ and who embody the spirit of grit , determination , camaraderie , hope and humanity upon which the Comrades Marathon was founded .”
Winn also thanked all sponsors , partners and the world at large for supporting the Comrades Marathon , including its international brand ambassadors , influencers , runners and supporters , saying , “ So many people and organisations have had a hand in the success that The Ultimate Human Race is today . We thank you all for making the Comrades Marathon one of the world ’ s greatest events .”
On the way to Comrades House
Blanche Moila , Charne Bosman and Francis van Blerk
Selfie-time for Helen Lucre and Vladimir Kotov
Images : Peter De Groot Photography
30 ISSUE 142 JUNE 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za