Comrades Marathon through Wesley Botton’s eyes

Gift Kelehe, whose brother Andrew won the Comrades Marathon fourteen years ago, won the men’s race after finishing in 5:38:36. Caroline Wostmann from Pretoria was the first woman to cross the finish line.

The Citizen team was also part of the race. The team included Jaco van der Merwe, Neil McCartney, Wesley Botton and Alistair Russell.

We take a look at the Comrade Marathon through Wesley Botton’s eyes:

Early morning start in Maritzburg. Off to Durbs for the start. It's Comrades race day peeps!

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Nice and warm at the start. Going to be a hot day. Music playing, runners dancing, singing and chatting. Very festive #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

They've taken down the barriers. We move forward. B-batch is now less than 50 metres away from the start line #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

The national anthem is being played. Thousands sing in chorus (sort of) with nervous energy filling the air. Six minutes to go #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Shosholoza now.. #comrades2015

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— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

The dude in front of me is crying. His mate pats him on the back. Very emotional here. Got goosebumps #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

The cock crows, the cannon is fired, and we're off. 87.7km to go… #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

A few kind people have come out to support us in the early stages, as we head past Berea Rd towards Tollgate #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Through Westville. A lot less chatting between the runners now, but the crowd is getting thicker. Lots of support. 75km to go #comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

A guy tells the lady next to me she's lying 36th in the women's race. She gets a bit of a fright. "I'd better slow down." #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Botha's Hill, approaching halfway. I'm walking most of this hill. My sub-8 slowly slipping away. Just going to try enjoy it now #Comrades

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Gonna chill here for a few minutes, give the legs a break. Anybody want to swap hamstrings with me? #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Halfway in 4:23, and now it's the mother of all hills. Inchanga. We're all walking this one. Bill Rowan bus is just ahead #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

More than two thirds of the distance covered. Nice to see my club mates at the Boksburg tent in Cato Ridge. 28km to go #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Past the chicken farms. Doesn't smell very nice here. We push on, heading towards Lions Park. 22km to go #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Dude ahead of me collapses in a heap, tries to get back on his feet. Race officials urging him to stop. It's hot out here #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

I like that Comrades puts our names on our race numbers. Hundreds of strangers shouting your name is a nice personal touch

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Single figures now. Less than 10km to go as we throw our weary bodies at the last of the "big five", the dreaded Polly Shortts #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

5km to the finish. Can someone pass me a ribbon? This thing is just about wrapped #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Just outside the stadium, less than 2km to go. These last few kays go on forwever #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Thanks for all the support today peeps, and for keeping my mind occupied through the bad patches. This really is a great race #Comrades2015

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015

Big up to The Citizen team who ran Comrades today. All four guys finished @jacovanderm @NeilMcCartney and Alistair Russell

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) May 31, 2015