WATCH: Comrades crawl as KZN runner claims fourth
Grit and determination take Jenna Challenor over the finish line
THE dust has settled after the 2022 Comrades Marathon and talk of the town is Durban runner Jenna Challenor who crawled across the finish line to claim fourth place.
In a video that has lit up the internet, Challenor can be seen painstakingly making her way through Moses Mabhida Stadium on jelly for legs that had been threatening to collapse from Westville.
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After making it all the way almost to the finish line, Challenor collapsed and was unable to get up to run or even walk over the line.
That did not stop her, however, and that fourth place in the ladies’ race was going to be hers no matter what.
With other runners unable to help her across the finish line – athletes have to cross under their own steam – Challenor got to crawling, eventually clawing her way over the line to claim the fourth place and gold medal she so rightfully deserved.
Bettering her 2019 Comrades time, Challenor finished this year’s race in 06:42:13.
But it is not her time or her fourth place that has got people talking; it’s her sheer determination to not only finish
The Ultimate Human Race, but to have continued with her goal of bettering her previous time despite her legs telling her otherwise.
After Challenor posted the photo of her crawling across the finish line, being coaxed over by a fellow runner, hundreds of commentators took to Twitter to express their respect and admiration at her determination.
A little girl.. a big dream.. A COMRADES ROSE🌹
For as long as I can remember I have said I WILL RUN Comrades and I will get that red rose.
The day before a race Brett often gets me roses,this time he arrived home and said “I didn’t buy you roses, go out and get your own tomor pic.twitter.com/fi7OUAzCK4
— Jenna Challenor (@jennaChallie1) June 24, 2019
How it STARTED👉🏻
How it’s WENT 👉🏻
How it ENDED👉🏻Through it all, the highs, the lows, the pain I just kept smiling because in the end I am doing WHAT I LOVE and for people I love.
South Africa you are INCREDIBLE🙌🏻
Thank u 4 the support. pic.twitter.com/MXaXzSEi3X— Jenna Challenor (@jennaChallie1) August 30, 2022
If you can’t run WALK, if you can’t walk CRAWL🤣 There was no way on earth I was giving up my hard fought 4th place gold medal for anything. That was BRUTAL but I am proud. pic.twitter.com/aE3efbyjIe
— Jenna Challenor (@jennaChallie1) August 29, 2022
The @ComradesRace took ALL OF ME. To say I left it all out there is no lie. pic.twitter.com/SOIrp4ffZs
— Jenna Challenor (@jennaChallie1) August 29, 2022
Source: Twitter @SuperSportTV
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