14 June 2020 was the date set for the 2020 Comrades Marathon that got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic regulations. Although athletes could not participate in the Comrades, the alternative was presented in the form of a virtual race.
Athletes from all over the world competed in the Comrades Race Against The Legends virtual run where athletes could take on and try to beat the Comrades legends of the past in their own back yard.
Chris Stander, participating in Sunday’s Comrades Virtual Race. Chris is a familiar face at the local parkrun.
More than 40 000 athletes entered for this virtual race.
Although not the official Comrades Marathon, athletes could choose various distances ranging from 5km and increasing in 5km distance intervals all the way up to the official Comrades distance of 90km.
This was considered by many athletes to be their first Comrades and it proved to be a huge success.
The streets of Parys were alive on Sunday with local talent and runners taking on this challenge.
The biggest obstacle appeared to be the low temperatures; Clearly not something that is expected at a traditional Comrades start in warmer climate of KwaZulu-Natal.
Our local running community geared up like brave warriors, supported the ultimate human race, and completed their various race distances despite the sub-zero temperatures.
Social media platforms are buzzing with photographs, videos and images of distance and time results.
The Comrades retains its title as the ultimate human race and remains a running event that every athlete should experience at least once.
The sport industry is experiencing many challenges and changes, but it appears that the Comrades will be with us for many more years to come. Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in this year’s Comrades Race Against The Legends. May there be many more to come.
