Comrades Marathon, a supporter’s experience

AS a first time supporter of the Comrades Marathon, my day began at 3.30am to ensure that a friend who ws running the marathon for the third time had everything ready for the race. As we arrived at the Durban City Hall, around 4.30am, we were greeted by an electrifying atmosphere, as thousands of runners, spectators were already waiting in anticipation to hear Chariots of fire, Shosholoza, the national anthem and Max Trimborn’s crowing which has been preserved on tape and finally, the firing of the gun signalling the start of the race.

According to the Comrades Marathon website, in 1948, runner Max Trimborn couldn’t contain his nervous energy on the starting line of the Comrades Race. So he cupped his hands, filled his lungs and issued a hearty rooster crow. The other runners so enjoyed this display that they demanded repeat performances in subsequent years. Trimborn obliged for the next 32 races, sometimes adorning himself with feathers and a rooster vest. By the time of his death in 1985, Trimborn’s crowing had been preserved on tape. These days, greatly amplified, it still starts the Comrades Marathon.

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At 5.30am on the dot the gun went off and as usual thousands of runners started making their way out of the city, with crowds cheering them on. Although everything was planned about where we had to meet my runner friend, traffic and road closures made it extremely difficult for us. The first problems were encountered at Winston Park, where the road was closed and only residents were allowed access. So, we had to proceed to our next meeting at Drummond, about 50 minutes away from Durban. However, due to the congested traffic it took us double the time. Fortunately we made it just in time and handed our runner some food, mainly potatoes, pasta, chicken breasts and some much-needed extra encouragement.

Next stop was Cato Ridge, which we reached without any problems but for our runner the race was already taking its toll. We had to put on our doctor’s hat and provide him with all the necessary medical support, from applying gels, giving him painkillers, protein shakes, magnesium supplements and more food. Although Umlaas Road Interchange, the highest point of the race was supposed to be our next meeting point, due to the traffic we couldn’t reach it in time.Without any communication, we headed straight to Scottsville Racecourse, hoping that he made it through Polly Shorts.

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When we arrived at the finishing stop it was 5pm and using the Comrades tracking app we saw that he had passed Polly Shortts and was now racing against time. Although we were excited about the possibilities of him finishing the race, we had to contend with cars either coming into the venue or leaving. Parking was a nightmare but for the car guards business was booming and one of them told us that he had already made over R1500. He organised me a parking space for free and I promised to hook him up with one of the girls I was travelling with!

By now it was 5:30pm and the gun went off to signal the end of the race. Moments later an unknown number flashed on one of the ladies’ phone. She answered it and the voice on the other phone started screaming, it was our runner friend telling us that he had just made it, coming in at 5.28pm which meant he had been on the road for 11 hours and 58 minutes!

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