Landmark commemorates athletes who completed epic ultra-marathon
Situated near Hillcrest, the Comrades Marathon Wall of Honour pays tribute to runners who have finished the annual running event.
THE Comrades Marathon Wall of Honour is located a short distance beyond Hillcrest, on the route of the annual marathon.
In a week, an expected 15 000 athletes will run past the landmark in Inchanga, on the R103 as they compete in the world famous marathon. The race is a South African ultra-marathon run between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, a distance of approximately 90kms. The event was first run in 1921 and is taking place on August 28 this year.
Looking out over the vast expanse of the Valley of 1000 Hills, the landmark takes the form of an undulating cement block wall, each block bearing commemorative plaques with the names of Comrades Marathon athletes. Plaques honouring past winners take pride of place at the beginning of the wall.
Runners, or their families and friends, are able to purchase the plaques from the Comrades Marathon Association if the athlete has completed the ultra-marathon. Many are bought as gifts for special occasions, milestone events or in memory of an runner who has passed away.
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Carl Grossmann, a runner on an ‘extended sabbatical’ said he is grateful to his family for surprising him with his Comrades plaque and that he was blessed to have completed 13 marathons.
