Event of the Week:
Comrades Marathon, Durban / Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
The oldest and largest ultra-marathon in the world.
The Comrades Marathon was first organised in 1921 by Vic Clapham who had marched 1,700 miles through Africa's eastern savannah during WWI in pursuit of German and local guerrilla forces. Thirty-four runners took park in the first event. Today the event attracts 11,000 participants each year.
The event takes place in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa and the event direction alternates each year. In even numbered years the event runs 'uphill' gaining 650m from the coast in Durban to the provincial town Pietermaritzburg and in odd years 'downhill' from Pietermaritzburg.
Russian Leonid Shvetsov holds the record on both the downhill and uphill courses in 5:20:49, and 5:24:49 respectively. All finishers are awarded one of six medals according to their finishing time. Gold medals are awarded to the first ten men an women. Wally Hayward medals are presented to finishers between eleventh place and six hours. Silver medals are presented to finishers between six hours and seven hours thirty minutes. Bill Rowan medals are presented to finishers between seven hours thirty - nine hours. Bronze medals are presented to finishers between nine hours and eleven hours. Vic Clapham medals are presented to finishers between eleven and tweleve hours.
Russian Leonid Shvetsov holds the record on both the downhill and uphill courses in 5:20:49, and 5:24:49 respectively. All finishers are awarded one of six medals according to their finishing time. Gold medals are awarded to the first ten men an women. Wally Hayward medals are presented to finishers between eleventh place and six hours. Silver medals are presented to finishers between six hours and seven hours thirty minutes. Bill Rowan medals are presented to finishers between seven hours thirty - nine hours. Bronze medals are presented to finishers between nine hours and eleven hours. Vic Clapham medals are presented to finishers between eleven and tweleve hours.
 | When: May Where: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, SOUTH AFRICA Distance: 89km Terrain: Road Climate: 25-35oC Website: www.comrades.com |
