Comrades runners are streaming through enthusiastic Hillcrest spectators
Athletes participating in the epic ultra-marathon are passing through the suburb of Hillcrest in large numbers.
THE suburb of Hillcrest is a flurry of activity this morning, as spectators have come out in droves to support the athletes participating in the annual ultra-marathon.
The Comrades Marathon route goes through the middle of the Hillcrest, some kilometres after the halfway point at Drummond. The competitors will have already conquered the numerous hills in the Valley of 1000 Hills, passing the boys of Kearsney College with their maroon balloons on the crest of Bothas Hill, before descending into the usually quiet town of Hillcrest.
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This morning, live music, breakfast braais, cooler boxes and young children handing out potatoes and energy drinks are the order of the day as the athletes’ ‘buses’ pass through the crowds lining the main road that runs through the town. A roar of verbal encouragement and clapping welcome the runners as they hurry past on their way into the city of Durban.
The athletes need to beat the next cut-off at Winston Park at 13:40. At that point, the competitors will have completed 57.46km of the marathon, with 32.42km still to go. Those runners who do not reach that point before the cut-off time will be unable to complete the marathon.
