Comrades celebrates 100 years
The 34 runners in the 1921 Comrades Tribute Run were set off by Msunduzi Mayor.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) celebrated 100 years of The Ultimate Human Race on May 24.
Part of the day’s festivities was the so-called 1921 Comrades Marathon Tribute Run, a symbolic 2.2km re-enactment of the 1921 Comrades Marathon which saw 34 starters take off from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
Unlike the 90km footrace, this Tribute Run finished at Comrades House where a host of other Comrades activities were scheduled.
The 34 runners in the 1921 Comrades Tribute Run were set off by Msunduzi mayor, Clr Mzimkhulu Thebolla at 9am outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall proceeding down Chief Albert Luthuli Street, which becomes Alan Paton Road and then turns left into Connaught Road, covering a distance of 2.2km.
The race finished by 9.30am and was overseen by Msunduzi Traffic Management Services and the Department of Transport (RTI).
CMA race director, Rowyn James, thanked all Pietermaritzburg residents and motorists for their support, saying, “We apologise for any disruptions and asked that everyone bared with us as we hosted a historic run which goes hand-in-hand with the rich history of the City of Pietermaritzburg and the world’s oldest, biggest and most famous ultra-marathon.
“Pietermaritzburg is the home of the Comrades Marathon and it was fitting that we hosted this symbolic race in this city.”
The arrival of the 34 runners heralded the start of the formal Comrades Centenary Celebrations which included the unveiling of a Centenary Monument, entertainment, formal addresses from dignitaries, less formal speeches by special guests, more entertainment, and the cutting of a giant birthday cake.
If you have run the Comrades in the last 100 years, send the City Times (jemmap@caxton.co.za) some photos of yourself running the Comrades and tell us about your experience running this historic race.
