Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 165 February 2024 | Page 33

ROAD RUNNING another motivation . You will be amazed how quickly the years and the medals tick by , but I must say , when I embarked on my Comrades journey , the thought of completing 50 was unfathomable !”

Now , as Barry approaches this monumental and unprecedented achievement , his journey inspires us to expand the spectrum of our dreams , mirroring the profound wisdom of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf : “ The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them .” He extends an invitation to all to dream boundlessly , to strive with courage , and to live the essence of an extraordinary life .

Wozza takes a ‘ work break ’ while Barry does yet another finishline interview after his 47th finish

Barry with fellow 40s , Alan Robb , Louis Massyn , Dave Lowe and Kenny Craig

About the Author

Dr Sulette Ferreira is a social science researcher and emigration therapist , in private practice in Pretoria , specialising in the study and therapeutic treatment of ambiguous loss . She says that her studies , travels and running have taught her valuable life lessons , to accept what is , to let go of what was , and to have faith in what will be , and she has carried that through into her 12 years of running . She has done multiple marathon and ultra events , including the Otter and SkyRun , as well the Two Oceans Marathon . More on her at https :// drsulette . com .

Images : Peter De Groot , Action Photo SA , Sean Falconer & courtesy Barry Holland

In his remarkable Comrades career , Barry Holland has earned four different types of medal in his 49 consecutive finishes : 22 silver , 6 Bill Rowans , 20 bronze and 1 Vic Clapham . He also posted some impressive times , with an overall best time of 6:29:22 on the Down Run in 1991 , and a best Up Run time of 6:34:47 in 1994 .

Barry ’ s slowest time to date is the 11:42:55 he clocked in 2022 , and because he had never finished over 11 hours before , he had many people worrying that he would not be able to keep his streak of consecutive finishes going past 47 . However , this was the first Comrades after a twoyear hiatus of the race due to the COVID pandemic , and Barry suffered a fall during the race , but still managed ot limp in for his 48th medal , and the following year he was back to cruising in under 11 hours , hence many think he should be able to clinch that 50th medal in 2024 .

Barry Holland is on course to become the first runner in history to finish the Comrades Marathon 50 times !

Just for Comparison …

Of course , the number of different medals that one can earn at Comrades has changed over the years , so just for interest ’ sake , if Barry ’ s medals had been awarded according to current time standards , he would have considerably different medal tally , notably 13 Bill Rowans instead of six :

• 22 Silver ( sub-7:30 )

• 13 Bill Rowan ( 7:30 to 8:59 )

• 5 Robert Mtshali ( 9:00-9:59 )

• 8 Bronze ( 10:00 to 10:59 )

• 1 Vic Clapham ( 11:00 to 11:59 )

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