Local receives back-to-back medal
A local runner, Shirley Stewart, received the back-to-back medal at the annual Comrades marathon.
The Back-to-Back medal is awarded to a novice runner who starts and finishes two races in succession in two particular years.
It is a huge honor to receive this medal.
Shirley feels honored, privileged and totally humbled to have received her medal.
Her younger sister was her motivation.
Lindy Stumbles, who passed away 17 years ago on May 29 (Comrades day).
When the going got tough she just thought of her and she felt new strength and was able to dig deeper and push through the pain.
Shirley received a yellow rose for finishing under 10 hours which was very symbolic.
“Paul, Anel and I were also running to raise money for the SAVF and I knew I had to finish as the money raised was going to such a amazing cause,” said Shirley.
Her advise to runners that wants this medal is to keep a positive mind, focus on a perfect day and to not think about what can go wrong.
She also says that the the Comrades are indescribable.
“From the start with Shozaloza, Chariots of Fire and the National Anthem, tears streaming down my face, a mixture of pride, fear and anticipation. Looking around at the sea of faces, a mixture of every cultural, all equals on this day -from the petrol attendant to the celebrity. We are all Comrades and we are all about to face the greatest challenge of our lives. It is not called the Ultimate Human Race for nothing,” described Shirley.
The negative side is the people cramping up.
She trained very hard for the marathon and luckily it was injury free.
“I had great training partners who inspired and motivated me,” she said.
At this stage she is not planning in competing next year.
She thinks it is time for a new challenge.
“Maybe one day with my son Jack, when he is old enough,” she said.
She says that it is the most humbling experience and a real journey to discovery.
