Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 96, July 2017 | Page 46

Ma
Comrades
2017 TOOK ALL OF YOU
Check out all the latest news and important info from the world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultra, the Comrades
Marathon. – BY DELAINE COOLS & NONKULULEKO MDLALOSE
SECOND WIN FOR BONGMUSA,
BIG FRIGHT FOR CAMILLE
COMRADES EXPO A
RUNAWAY SUCCESS
T
he 92 nd Comrades Marathon on Sunday 4 June saw 2014 winner and SA 100km Record Holder
Bongmusa Mthembu claim a second Comrades win in the men’s race in 5:35:34. Running for the
Arthur Ford Athletic Club, he pulled away from Zimabwean Hatiwande Nyamande (Nedbank Running
Club International) and extended his lead on the notorious final Polly Shortts climb, leaving the runner-up to
come home just over three minutes later in 5:38:48. Third home was 2015 winner Gift Kelehe of the TomTom
Athletics Club in 5:41:48, with 2013 winner Ludwick Mamabola (Nedbank Running Club Gauteng North)
fourth in 5:42:40. There were five South Africans in the top 10.
The race had 17,031 starters, of which 13,852 finished within the 12-hour cut-off. The medal breakdown of
the 2017 Comrades Marathon was:
• Gold – Top 10 men and women
• Bill Rowan – 1887
• Vic Clapham – 5235
• Wally Hayward – 8
• Bronze – 6271
• (Back2Back – 2174)
• Silver – 441
For all results, please visit www.comrades.com.
MANAGEABLE RACE DAY MEDICAL STATS
The CMA has issued its medical statistics for race day and Comrades Doctor, Jeremy Boulter, confirmed that
about 400 runners were treated at the Comrades Medical Tent. He says, “We had a good day in the Medical
Tent. The ICU section was normal. The Medical Tent itself wasn’t overloaded and we coped extremely well. We
treated about 2.6% of the field, which is just slightly above average, considering that it was quite a hot day.”
The CMA once again hosted the annual Comrades Expo
at the Durban Exhibition Centre in the build-up to race
day. Showcasing over 70 exhibitors and attracting more
than 55,000 visitors, the three-day Expo catered for
every kind of runner as well as their supporters.
The Expo featured the sought-after Comrades History
Gallery with a focus on the rich history and traditions
of The Ultimate Human Race as well as fantastic
activations by the CMA’s major sponsors and partners.
Meanwhile, the Comrades Memorabilia stand once
again achieved record sales of its amazing branded
merchandise, with many runners and supporters loving
the range of products on offer.
The newly introduced Comrades Novice Hospitality Area
for first-time entrants in this year’s Comrades Marathon
was a runaway success, as was the fresh introduction of
the Old Mutual auditorium, where expert guest speakers
and renowned Comrades figures shared their unique
experiences of The Ultimate Human Race with aspiring
Comrades runners.
Netcare’s St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg treated 80 runners,
of which 40 were admitted, treated and thereafter discharged. The majority of athletes were treated mainly for dehydration, apart
from a few other minor issues. Netcare’s St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban treated 10 runners, mainly for dehydration.
Boulter mentioned that a few runners had had chest pains, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. “It was a normal day of controlled
chaos, and we were happy to confirm that all runners were doing ok after the race. We would like to thank our doctors, physio’s,
paramedics and all other medical staff and volunteers who assisted our runners on race day. We are very grateful to you all for a job
well done under trying circumstances.”
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ISSUE 96 JULY 2017 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Nedbank Running Club International’s Camille Herron from the USA won the women’s race in 6:27:35,
although she gave herself a nasty fright when she stopped short of the finish line, thinking she was already
finished, and then sprinted the last hundred-plus metres, although well ahead of second-placed Alexandra
Morozova of Russia (6:31:45). Charne Bosman, the 2016 winner, was next home in 6:39:51, and in one of the
most remarkable runs of the day, Colleen De Reuck (KPMG) won the master 50-59 age category by finishing
seventh for the second year in a row.