LA Lucia resident Jody Taylor will be among the more than 400 athletes from South Africa vying for a place in the Comrades Marathon Green Number Club on Sunday, June 11.
Taylor, who is due to run his 10th Comrades Marathon, is hoping to earn a spot on the coveted Comrades Green Number Roll of Honour.
“When I started my Comrades journey, I never imagined completing 10 of them. After my first Comrades at the age 21, the race spirit just became ingrained in me, and I kept returning year after year. Now, to be on the verge of getting my permanent Green Number is a very humbling feeling. It is such a rare achievement and a unique badge of honour. I also think anyone who’s got half an athletic bone in their body should attempt the Comrades if you live in Durban or in South Africa,” he explained.
Taylor, who recently became a father, said he is looking forward to being welcomed across the finish line at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
“My first Comrades happened to be a down run, and Kingsmead was the finish venue. So this will be a rather special one for me. I think my daughter, Maddi, and my wife, Aimee, will be added motivation to get me across the line on the day. I get quiet emotional picturing it, but I hope that it will be a reality on the day. Amy has been just incredible in helping me on this journey and supporting me all the way,” he said.
He added that the atmosphere inside the stadium will also give athletes that extra boost as they cross the finish line.
“While running into the Moses Mabhida Stadium is quite spectacular, I don’t think there is anything like the atmosphere at Kingsmead. The crowd is closer, and they are banging on the boundary boards, and that just gees you up more,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Faku Chiefs Athletics Club member was awarded the Pope-Ellis Ironman trophy, which he won for the third year in a row.
“The triple-crown competition is based on your best times for the Comrades Marathon, the Dusi Canoe Marathon and then the aQuellé Midmar Mile. To win it three years in a row is quite special, and though I’m not one for stats and records, it would be great to do it again. I believe Wayne Riddin holds the record for most wins in a row, so it would be awesome to get anywhere near that,” he said.
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