He’s going for his 40th Comrades medal

DURBANITE Shaun Wood is excited about next month’s Comrades Marathon, where he hopes to make history by finishing the ultra-marathon for the 40th consecutive time.

“There is really no secret. I just run my own race and try not to get carried away with what other runners are doing,” said the 57-year-old.

Wood started road running at the age of 15 but it wasn’t until he was 18 that he was able to qualify for the Comrades. The minimum age has since been changed to 20.

“I enjoyed it so much and I just had to come back the following year and now it’s part of my annual diary.”

On June 4, Wood, Mike Cowling, Wietsche van der Westhuizen, Johann van Eeden and Boysie van Staden will be receiving their quadruple green number status. There are only 12 other runners in the world who have completed 40 or more.

“There is something very special about getting that green number. I remember finishing my 10th race, I was 27 years old.” Durban resident Shaun Wood is one of the veteran runners going for their quadruple green number on June 4.

Wood would have not run that day because he had spent a night in hospital just two days before.

“I was in such pain. I thought it was food poisoning but it was appendicitis. The doctors told me not to attempt the Comrades but I went against their orders. I was fine the whole way.”

To make this year’s Comrades even more special, Wood’s brother, Mike, is coming out of retirement to run with him after running his last one in 2000.

Sharing tips on what has worked for him over the years, he said physical preparation had to be matched with mental preparedness.

“You can train thousands of kilometres before the race but if you don’t have the right mindset, then you are in trouble before you even start. As you train, you should see that finish line in your head.”

He said every runner should attempt the Comrades at least once in their lives.

“For many, it’s not about winning but the experience. You should run it as a personal challenge. It’s not about how long it takes but crossing that finish line before the time is up.”