The Comrades Marathon may have been cancelled this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but local athletes still put on their running shoes to compete in the very first ‘Race The Legends Marathon’.
Dubbed ‘The Ultimate Virtual Race’, the event saw 40 000 participants from 86 nations compete in a unique virtual Comrades experience. Competitors could complete either a 5km, 10km, 21.1km, 45km or 90km race.
They could also complete the distance anywhere they chose, either on the road or even from the comfort of their homes on a treadmill.
Participants could record their times using a smart watch, their phone or activity tracker, and upload the results to the Comrades Marathon website. They could then see how they measured up against athletes around the world, and Comrades legends who also ran the race.
Jeanetta Boschoff from Biggarsberg Athletics Club took on the challenge and commented on what a great event it was.
“What a unique experience to stand unified in the Comrades spirit through these difficult times. It was an enjoyable and engaging experience for us to join many friends and many legends on the day, including nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce and Gerda Steyn.
“We had to plan our own routes and it was great to get support from the cars passing us. What a privilege to be out on the road during lockdown! Thank you to everyone who made it possible for all the long-distance athletes! Those six to nine runs really paid off!”
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