I have fond memories of getting up before dawn to go out to Camperdown to cheer on the runners as they made their way down to Durban. At that time Comrades was dominated by Bruce Fordyce, and I remember my mom and sister going all googly-eyed as he ran past.
It has been amazing to watch it live, to watch the winner manage to run 89km in 5 1/2 hours - incredible!
But of everything what struck such a chord with Mr. A and I is the story of a gardener from Nelspruit. he decided last year to run the Comrades, so trained himself. He managed to get sponsorship to be able to afford to travel down to Durban, and for the first time in his life stayed in a hotel. I think the excitement of that was too much for him, and he overslept. When he did wake up and realise he was late, he ran from the hotel to the start line, STARTED half an hour after the runners had left, and still made his way up the field to finish in under 9 hours, earning himself a silver medal. Oh, and he is a veteran which means he is over 40 years old. Now doesn't that make you want to get off your arse and put on some trainers!
Anyway, a huge congrats to my Brother-in-law, his 4th race as a veteran and he did it in a respectable 8 1/2 hours! Well done buddy!
PS: What Mouse gets up to whilst we are transfixed to the laptop!!
