World’s greatest endurance race is here to stay

Nearly a century has passed since Vic Clapham first conceptualised a memorial road running event to honour the comrades of the Great War, and in the 97 years since, his dream has evolved into one of the world’s most weirdly wonderful races.

Nowhere else in the world does a race over 42.2km attract more than a few hundred entrants, yet the Comrades Marathon remains a firm cornerstone at the base of South Africa’s thriving domestic road running circuit.

Other ultra-distance races like the hugely popular 56km Two Oceans in Cape Town, the 50km Om die Dam in Hartbeespoort and the 50km Loskop outside Middelburg, as well as the now defunct 56km Pieter Korkie and 50km City2City events, have all owed their success in no small part to the foundation laid by Comrades.

The gruelling 89km race should never have become as prestigious as it has, in a world based on sense and logic, and it was not always a popular event.

Launched in 1921, the first edition attracted just 48 entrants, and only 34 were either brave or insane enough to attempt the unique challenge.

Only 16 participants made it to the end of that first race, and for the next 50 years the Comrades Marathon was unable to attract more than 1 000 starters, a feat which was first achieved in 1971.

As much as the race has stuck to traditions, it has been the innovation and foresight by organisers which has kept it relevant.

Seeing an opportunity after the introduction of television to South Africa in 1976, organisers teamed up with the local broadcaster to create a dramatic spectacle which kept families glued to their seats from dawn till dusk.

In 1975, a risky move to sweep

Wesley Bo on

aside political and societal norms by introducing black runners and women to the race, was ultimately rewarded by an influx of entries.

It wasn’t until the 1980s, however, that interest truly soared, thanks largely to two athletes who helped lift the stature of an event which offered a unique escape for athletes and fans who were shut out by isolation.

The efforts of Bruce Fordyce, a Wits archaeology student, and Frith van der Merwe, a wispy schoolteacher from Benoni, did wonders for the race and their achievements earned both athletes their own chapters in the history of the event.

With elite local and international runners creating a hardfought rivalry since the mid-Nineties, the race has done well to remain relevant in the professional era, and while it seemed a few years ago interest was beginning to slide, the willingness to innovate while protecting the traditions of the event has again allowed organisers to promote and expand the Comrades brand.

Though it was another risky move, the decision to shift the finish venue from Kingsmead cricket ground to Moses Mabhida football stadium has seemingly been met with rapturous glee, and entries sold out in record time this week for the 93rd edition of the event next year.

Despite chopping off the traditional section of the route along the highway into Durban, the larger venue has not only proved to be a tantalising prospect to road runners across the country, it also allowed organisers to make another 1 500 entries available this week without additional safety and security concerns.

Aside from the change of venue, race director Rowyn James has also credited successful social media campaigns with the unprecedented interest, after 21 500 entries were sold in just three weeks, as they took another step forward in keeping abreast with modern trends.

It is a special race, which has become as much a part of our nation’s culture as braaivleis and gumboot dancing.

Seemingly more popular than ever, one of South Africa’s most celebrated sporting spectacles continues to thrive, and if organisers can stay on their toes, there’s no sign of the race losing momentum.

The Comrades Marathon clearly here to stay. is