'I know why this is all necessary,' he says 'what common bond unites all Comrades runners. It is the need to look for the mountains in life. Skill, you see, is not our requirement, nor has your race got anything to do with winning or losing. These are the spoils of other lesser games, unable to transport you to the places we have been.' -Tim Noakes on the Comrades Marathon
The Comrades Marathon is not a marathon- it's an ultra- but not just any ultra. Comrades is the oldest and the largest. The first one was run in 1921, and according the website, 16,657 are entered (that is amazing for a 56 mile race!).
Among those running this year is American Power Bar model Josh Cox, holder of the American record for 50 kilometers. Watch this impressive 15 mile workout he did at 7.000 feet- averaging 5:07 per mile!
Josh is clearly fit, but as we all know, 15 miles may not a very good indicator for how he might be able to hold up for 56 miles.
The race is run in opposite directions every year (imagine Boston doing THAT!), and this year happens to be downhill.
The race starts Sunday at 0530, and S. Africa appears to be 13 hours ahead, so you can watch a streaming video of the race here starting at 6:30 pm EST. Might be interesting!
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