What makes the Comrade Marathon a special race?
The Comrades Marathon in South Africa is the World’s oldest, largest and, it can be argued, the greatest ultra marathon. At 56 miles with several large hills provides an incredible challenge for any runner and is an iconic race in the world of long distance endurance running.
How many km is the Comrades Marathon?
approximately 89 kilometres
The Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of approximately 89 kilometres (55 mi) which is run annually in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon race.
Why is it called Comrades Marathon?
The Comrades Marathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg started as a tribute to the South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.
What is the purpose of Comrade Marathon?
The Comrades Marathon was run for the first time on the 24th May 1921 and has been run every year since, with the exception of World War II and unfortunately 2020 & 2021. The race was the brainchild of WWI veteran Vic Clapham, to commemorate South African soldiers killed during the war.
Is 4 hours a good marathon time?
So, for a man, anything under 4 hours could be considered a good marathon time, putting you in the top 43% of runners. For women, a time under 4 hours and 30 minutes would similarly be very good.
How long does it take to train for Comrades?
six months
Taking on the Comrades Marathon training takes time Most athletes train for at least six months, many for more, but it depends on where you are starting from. As you can see taking on the Comrades Marathon takes dedication. Ideally, you should be a regular runner, having run a marathon before.
How often should you take gels during a marathon?
Taking 2 or 3 gels every hour from the very start of your event is optimum and will mean that by mile 17, you should have a large stock of carbohydrate available for a strong finish.