The Southern KZN History Society invited Roy Bowman of the SA Military History Society to leave Durban on his trusty steed, his big BMW motorbike, and visit them in Uvongo.
It’s about the fourth time he has entertained the group with tales of inspiring deeds.
The first 89km marathon took place on May 24 in KwaZulu-Natal in 1921.
South African soldiers who died in World War One gave Vic Clapham, our first hero; a soldier in 8th SA Infantry in WW1, the idea to start a running race to honour their courage and perseverance.
Pre-Covid, the race was run every year except for five years during World War Two.
Women were, at first, only allowed to run unofficially, so it’s notable that when Frances Hayward won in 1923, she was given a silver tea service with a very nice rose bowl…..instead of a Comrades medal. It’s very different today.
A quirky tale involves teacher Bill Payn (a battlefield hero and ex POW), a Springbok rugby player who was somewhat attached to his rugby boots.
His friend Arthur Newton persuaded Bill to run.
Therefore, he wore rugby boots to start the marathon in 1922 from Durban.
At Hillcrest he indulged in a full English breakfast, later he had a chicken curry, a couple of beers at a Drummond country hotel and a kind woman helped him by giving him some peach brandy – all in the interests of speeding him on his way.
He finished in eighth place and proceeded to play a game of club rugby the next day in – surprise – his running shoes!
This year the famous race will be held on Sunday, August 28.
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