It takes a great team to pull off the greatest race

SOME call it the world’s greatest ultra-marathon while others may just call it by its official name – the Comrades Marathon. Whatever it’s called, it takes a well-oiled, hard-working and efficient team of individuals to pull off a race of this stature.

The 96th Comrades Marathon takes place on Sunday, June 11.  It will be the event’s 48th down run, starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Durban 12 hours later.

“The Comrades board, staff and race organising committee make up Team Comrades. This band of individuals comprises the core that makes The Ultimate Human Race possible, year in and year out, and maintains the iconic Comrades Marathon brand presence here in South Africa,” said marketing and communications manager Delaine Cools.

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“Together with our 31 Comrades International Brand Ambassadors, we also maintain a global brand presence and grow the international interest in South Africa’s greatest foot race and the world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultra-marathon,” she added.

Behind the scenes on the staff team are race director Rowyn James; marketing and communications manager Delaine Cools; social media coordinator Sifiso Mngoma; accountant Ncamisile Jali; IT manager Jared Williams; IT and entries assistant Liam Charles; procurement and estate officer Alain Dalais; administration coordinator Laurelle Rayners, and museum curator Roxanne Thomas. Click here to meet the team.

They all ensure that the race lives up to its name, a title chosen due to the wealth of legends in its history, namely the South African soldiers who gave their lives in World War I.

The race was staged for individuals to run in their honour, and over the years has gained international recognition with many overseas athletes coming to South Africa to compete.

Here are a few more facts about the Comrades Marathon:

• Frances Hayward was the first woman to run the Comrades (in 1923). She ran unofficially because her entry was refused. She finished in a time of 11 hours and 35 minutes and did not receive a medal.
• The race was the idea of World War I veteran Vic Clapham, who had endured a gruelling march of 2 700km through German East Africa and was a memorial to commemorate the South African soldiers who died in World War I.
• The course is marked by ‘The Big Five’ set of hills. They are: Polly Shortts, Inchanga, Botha’s Hill, Fields Hill and Cowies Hill.
• Runners who have 25 Comrades finishes to their name run for free.

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