Comrades 2000 Photos 2001 Results:
|
|
The Ultimate Human Race |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Vladimir Kotov 05:25:33 Belarus Age 42 |
Maria Bak 06:15:35 GERMANY Age: 41 |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Phil Whitehead (Extreme left)
|
Sponsorship for Island Hospice (Z$ 42 000 June 2000) |
||
|
|
|||
TOP 10 MEN Prize Winners
|
|||||
|
Pos |
Number |
Name |
Time |
Club |
Age |
|
1 |
35782 |
ANDREW
KELEHE |
05:25:51 |
RENTGN |
36 |
|
2 |
49670 |
LEONID
SHVETSOV |
05:26:28 |
RUSSIA |
32 |
|
3 |
39358 |
VLADIMIR
KOTOV |
05:27:21 |
POLAND |
43 |
|
4 |
4006 |
ALEXEI
VOLGIN |
05:27:40 |
RUSSIA |
33 |
|
5 |
14084 |
FUSI
NHLAPO |
05:30:38 |
LIBCG |
29 |
|
6 |
39356 |
GRIGORIY
MURZIN |
05:32:59 |
RUSSIA |
31 |
|
7 |
4673 |
DMITRI
GRISHINE |
05:36:04 |
RENT |
35 |
|
8 |
26183 |
SAREL
ACKERMANN |
05:36:50 |
RENTGN |
29 |
|
9 |
13170 |
WALTER
NKOSI |
05:38:15 |
LIBCG |
34 |
|
10 |
15739 |
MICHAEL MPOTOANE |
05:38:43 |
NB |
30 |
|
TOP 10 WOMEN Prize Winners |
|||||
|
Pos |
Number |
Name |
Time |
Club |
Age |
|
1 |
27860 |
ELVIRA
KOLPAKOVA |
06:13:53 |
RUSSIA |
28 |
|
2 |
1742 |
DEBORAH
MATTHEUS |
06:23:04 |
HARMG |
37 |
|
3 |
39390 |
MARINA
BYCHKOVA |
06:24:20 |
RUSSIA |
25 |
|
4 |
4104 |
MARIA BAK |
06:25:48 |
GERMANY |
42 |
|
5 |
39360 |
MARIA
VENANCIO |
06:39:03 |
BRAZIL |
43 |
|
6 |
34204 |
CAROL
MERCER |
06:40:59 |
MPKZN |
38 |
|
7 |
5145 |
GRACE DE
OLIVEIRA |
06:41:04 |
MPKZN |
39 |
|
8 |
34625 |
RENÉE
SCOTT |
06:54:57 |
METLIFE |
39 |
|
9 |
1482 |
VALENTINA
SHATYAYEVA |
06:57:05 |
RUSSIA |
37 |
|
10 |
16751 |
MADELEEN
OTTO |
07:01:14 |
LIBGN |
32 |
|
BULAWAYO RUNNERS: (O.M. Striders) |
|
|||||
Runner
|
Club |
Lion Park
|
Drummond
|
Mayville
|
Finish |
Finish |
|
MANDY BEVERIDGE (44820) |
OMS |
01:57:28 |
|
|
|
|
|
JOHN BURTON (49068) |
OMS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MICHAEL CLARK (44819) |
ZIM |
01:40:32 |
05:11:44 |
10:05:46 |
|
|
|
DICK COOPER (20363) |
OMS |
01:44:36 |
04:52:27 |
09:09:51 |
10:15:52 |
6465 |
|
GORDON GEDDES (9747) |
OMS |
01:20:39 |
04:03:11 |
08:48:43 |
09:43:57 |
4703 |
|
DANKO JERCINDVIC (44824) |
OMS |
01:31:09 |
04:37:21 |
09:16:52 |
10:29:50 |
7461 |
|
MORGAN JONES (12376) |
OMS |
01:45:10 |
04:50:28 |
09:43:37 |
10:44:49 |
8911 |
|
TRACEY MCGOVERN (30128) |
OMS |
01:45:24 |
05:20:43 |
10:05:22 |
10:56:04 |
10534 |
|
DIPAKKUMAR NAIK (44826) |
OMS |
01:41:05 |
05:03:07 |
|
|
|
|
PENCIL NYONI (39351) |
OMS |
01:33:49 |
04:18:36 |
08:16:08 |
08:59:10 |
3227 |
|
CLEMENCE PHIRI (22535) |
ZIM |
|
03:52:14 |
08:06:03 |
09:05:15 |
3334 |
|
GRANT SMITH (24386) |
ZIM |
01:40:32 |
04:43:47 |
09:37:52 |
10:41:09 |
8462 |
|
WAYNE SPENCER (9319) |
OMS |
01:23:12 |
04:00:35 |
07:49:27 |
08:44:16 |
2477 |
|
PHILIP STEAD (15253) |
ZIM |
01:42:18 |
04:57:16 |
09:33:00 |
10:33:36 |
7733 |
|
SHARON STEAD (15245) |
ZIM |
01:42:18 |
04:57:17 |
09:33:01 |
10:33:36 |
7732 |
|
JETHRO THEBE (22536) |
zim |
01:10:32 |
03:27:31 |
07:30:59 |
08:24:13 |
1813 |
|
TREVOR THOMPSON (44825) |
OMS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARON TIERNAY (21508) |
OMS |
01:47:28 |
05:17:00 |
|
|
|
|
CHARLES TROLLOPE (12384) |
OMS |
01:26:55 |
04:08:44 |
08:25:49 |
09:21:22 |
3787 |
|
ANN WALDER (21575) |
OMS |
01:47:27 |
05:17:00 |
|
|
|
|
KIERAN WALSH (3970) |
OMS |
01:40:32 |
04:44:12 |
09:30:21 |
10:32:22 |
7649 |
|
PHILIP WHITEHEAD (8386) |
OMS |
01:25:54 |
04:10:56 |
08:31:16 |
09:49:51 |
5032 |
|
JOHN WILLIAMS (12374) |
OMS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
HARARE RUNNERS: (H.A.C.) |
|
|||||
|
Runner |
Club |
Lion Park |
Drummond |
Mayville |
Finish |
Finish |
|
DIANA ASHWORTH (9505) |
HARARE |
01:46:16 |
05:18:13 |
09:59:03 |
10:53:33 |
10138 |
|
HENRY BARNARD (27801) |
HARARE |
01:53:43 |
05:25:44 |
|
|
|
|
LYNNE BARNARD (9414) |
HARARE |
01:36:33 |
04:23:12 |
08:08:33 |
08:56:21 |
3074 |
|
ADRIAN BATCHELLER-ADAMS
(4307) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIMITRIOS BELLIES (49889) |
HARARE |
01:51:08 |
05:12:14 |
09:53:19 |
|
|
|
GEORGE BOTHA (18076) |
HARARE |
01:41:11 |
04:54:59 |
09:40:45 |
10:44:35 |
8882 |
|
JAMES BRENNAN (3055) |
HARARE |
01:42:33 |
04:49:01 |
08:31:43 |
09:16:06 |
3628 |
|
MICHAEL BRENNAN (5788) |
HARARE |
01:36:32 |
04:34:36 |
09:39:14 |
10:49:22 |
9509 |
|
CATHERINE BRIDGES (15334) |
HARARE |
01:52:34 |
05:13:55 |
09:51:00 |
10:43:07 |
8711 |
|
RICHARD BRIDGES (9391) |
HARARE |
01:51:56 |
05:07:33 |
09:34:39 |
10:36:54 |
8066 |
|
ANDREW BROOKER (24416) |
HARARE |
01:53:42 |
05:22:04 |
|
|
|
|
IAN BROWN (23759) |
HARARE |
01:20:39 |
04:06:16 |
09:05:44 |
09:59:02 |
5599 |
|
TREVOR BROWN (2038) |
HARARE |
01:37:48 |
04:50:15 |
09:42:31 |
10:47:27 |
9232 |
|
JAMES CAMERON (34274) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
JAN CERRUTI (10693) |
HARARE |
01:34:21 |
04:30:37 |
08:41:58 |
09:35:47 |
4327 |
|
MARTIN CHESNO (48845) |
HARARE |
01:52:51 |
05:15:21 |
09:45:44 |
10:40:55 |
8439 |
|
COLIN COLEGRAVE (28189) |
HARARE |
01:19:29 |
03:46:59 |
07:25:49 |
08:17:41 |
1620 |
|
DEBBIE COLEGRAVE (36606) |
HARARE |
01:34:21 |
04:26:57 |
08:32:15 |
09:21:56 |
3816 |
|
PATRICIA COLTMAN (48513) |
HARARE |
01:45:44 |
04:56:45 |
09:22:52 |
10:18:53 |
6673 |
|
RICHARD CONLON (30271) |
HARARE |
01:18:32 |
03:43:22 |
07:56:34 |
08:46:06 |
2523 |
|
JACQUELINE COX (4299) |
HARARE |
01:48:06 |
05:17:42 |
09:58:26 |
10:56:33 |
10605 |
|
GARY CROSLAND (30275) |
HARARE |
01:42:33 |
04:49:02 |
09:49:10 |
10:53:19 |
10108 |
|
LINDY CROUKAMP (6653) |
HARARE |
01:56:01 |
05:25:35 |
09:57:39 |
10:54:38 |
10286 |
|
BARBARA DAVIES (2118) |
HARARE |
02:00:01 |
|
|
|
|
|
JOE DAVIES (15338) |
HARARE |
01:21:32 |
03:54:57 |
07:19:41 |
08:06:21 |
1345 |
|
DENNIS DU PREEZ (30272) |
HARARE |
01:25:50 |
04:08:49 |
09:17:22 |
10:37:00 |
8080 |
|
GEORGE ECONOMOU (3041) |
HARARE |
01:51:08 |
05:06:06 |
09:23:51 |
10:25:32 |
7143 |
|
JOHN ECONOMOU (44817) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANDREW EDMONDSON (30279) |
HARARE |
01:30:46 |
04:24:54 |
08:40:28 |
09:37:53 |
4441 |
|
DAVID FERGUSSON (48587) |
HARARE |
01:39:06 |
04:54:59 |
09:47:19 |
10:49:37 |
9565 |
|
JEREMY FIELD (23760) |
HARARE |
01:50:59 |
05:13:06 |
|
|
|
|
HARRY FLETCHER (9154) |
HARARE |
01:38:09 |
04:34:32 |
09:29:00 |
10:32:21 |
7648 |
|
ROBERT FORFAR (7428) |
HARARE |
01:24:20 |
04:08:49 |
08:29:53 |
09:46:02 |
4825 |
|
ROBIN FRIEDRICHS (39005) |
HARARE |
01:37:32 |
04:30:34 |
08:32:02 |
09:23:02 |
3854 |
|
ADELE FRIEND (7542) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MIKE GARDEN (4294) |
HARARE |
01:26:22 |
04:08:22 |
07:48:06 |
08:36:03 |
2164 |
|
STUART GEMMILL (25253) |
HARARE |
01:35:03 |
04:29:13 |
08:47:19 |
09:44:02 |
4708 |
|
MICHAEL GIBSON (32593) |
HARARE |
01:46:06 |
05:15:04 |
10:01:27 |
10:57:10 |
10698 |
|
HAJ HAJAT (5816) |
HARARE |
01:34:21 |
04:28:06 |
08:14:04 |
09:06:24 |
3352 |
|
VALARIE HARVEY (23761) |
HARARE |
01:30:31 |
04:19:17 |
09:10:06 |
10:04:03 |
5819 |
|
MICHELLE HOGG (5820) |
HARARE |
01:25:49 |
04:08:49 |
07:55:00 |
08:43:37 |
2460 |
|
MICHAEL JENKINS (48586) |
HARARE |
01:35:20 |
04:34:25 |
09:02:11 |
09:52:48 |
5229 |
|
SHINGIRAI KAMBOYI (38951) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEAN KENDALL-BALL (25246) |
HARARE |
01:46:59 |
05:17:21 |
|
|
|
|
TURVILLE KILLE (12059) |
HARARE |
01:29:23 |
04:20:28 |
08:27:26 |
09:21:57 |
3817 |
|
JAMES KINNEAR (899) |
HARARE |
01:33:19 |
04:28:30 |
08:55:01 |
09:51:31 |
5120 |
|
BRIGITTE LOTTER (40689) |
HARARE |
01:36:58 |
04:38:08 |
09:15:23 |
10:20:02 |
6751 |
|
BEVERLEY LOXTON (30283) |
HARARE |
01:46:16 |
05:18:15 |
10:01:55 |
|
|
|
GRANT MARE (38247) |
HARARE |
01:14:19 |
03:36:29 |
06:42:52 |
07:25:47 |
640 |
|
EDWARD MARTIN (49455) |
HARARE |
01:38:49 |
04:50:20 |
09:17:04 |
10:37:00 |
8081 |
|
SHEPARD MAZIRIRI (9809) |
HARARE |
01:12:21 |
03:28:52 |
07:23:49 |
08:06:52 |
1354 |
|
PERU MOODLEY (202) |
HARARE |
01:53:26 |
|
|
|
|
|
DAVID MOUNTFORD (3288) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROB MUNRO (30274) |
HARARE |
01:53:18 |
05:15:33 |
09:31:32 |
10:24:22 |
7062 |
|
SOREN NIELSEN (49453) |
HARARE |
01:46:45 |
05:17:00 |
09:42:09 |
10:39:04 |
8271 |
|
COLIN NORTH (44823) |
HARARE |
01:18:33 |
03:49:15 |
08:40:28 |
09:48:01 |
4929 |
|
JOHN OSBOURNE (21576) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEBRA PAINE (12560) |
HARARE |
01:48:06 |
05:17:42 |
09:58:27 |
10:56:33 |
10606 |
|
CHRIS PALMER (8659) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
KIRAN PATEL (3088) |
HARARE |
01:34:21 |
04:26:01 |
09:02:24 |
10:11:04 |
6164 |
|
FELICITY PENTLAND-SMITH
(3876) |
HARARE |
01:52:33 |
05:22:16 |
10:05:03 |
|
|
|
GARY PENTLAND-SMITH (3877) |
HARARE |
01:52:32 |
05:22:16 |
|
|
|
|
TAMMY RODGER (49457) |
HARARE |
01:14:18 |
03:36:30 |
06:42:53 |
07:25:49 |
641 |
|
ROB ROPER (27610) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANDREW SAUNDERS (9741) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LLOYD SKINNER (12498) |
HARARE |
01:42:24 |
04:28:13 |
08:55:05 |
09:56:29 |
5468 |
|
SANDRA SMITH (49456) |
HARARE |
01:34:20 |
04:30:16 |
08:47:18 |
09:44:02 |
4710 |
|
ATHERTON SQUIRE (1453) |
HARARE |
01:30:13 |
|
|
|
|
|
BRIAN STEWART (49266) |
HARARE |
01:44:47 |
04:58:10 |
09:15:15 |
10:11:06 |
6168 |
|
MARK STRATHERN (33854) |
HARARE |
01:42:25 |
04:46:23 |
09:09:29 |
10:10:00 |
6101 |
|
DAVID SYME (30181) |
HARARE |
01:54:26 |
05:24:27 |
10:00:42 |
10:54:03 |
10215 |
|
ROY TABERER (30287) |
Harare |
01:14:18 |
03:40:53 |
|
|
|
|
NICHOLAS TRAFFORD (8992) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TREF VANDOROS (24451) |
HARARE |
01:18:32 |
03:43:21 |
06:48:45 |
07:28:33 |
729 |
|
ADRIAAN VERHAGEN (11461) |
HARARE |
01:34:20 |
04:25:56 |
08:40:27 |
09:44:03 |
4711 |
|
BEN VILJOEN (6984) |
HARARE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEWAAL VILJOEN (29114) |
HARARE |
01:18:23 |
03:50:10 |
07:50:42 |
08:43:01 |
2441 |
|
GARETH WALL (21490) |
HARARE |
01:38:54 |
04:55:51 |
09:49:15 |
10:48:07 |
9330 |
|
GUY WATSON SMITH (21580) |
HARARE |
01:16:43 |
03:37:42 |
06:34:37 |
07:12:02 |
419 |
|
KEITH WEBSTER (3120) |
HARARE |
01:20:13 |
03:55:20 |
07:35:54 |
08:23:24 |
1792 |
|
CRAIG WHITE (21493) |
HARARE |
01:46:16 |
05:18:24 |
|
|
|
|
ANDREW ZEIBARI (21577) |
HARARE |
01:36:33 |
04:23:12 |
08:08:34 |
08:56:21 |
3075 |
|
ROBERT ZEIBARI (21447) |
HARARE |
01:50:59 |
|
|
|
|
|
PAUL ZIETSMAN (49454) |
HARARE |
01:53:42 |
05:23:05 |
10:02:14 |
10:58:45 |
10930 |
|
SIMON ADDY (29058) |
HAC |
01:34:27 |
04:40:15 |
09:11:36 |
10:18:31 |
6636 |
|
GRAHAM ADIE (3314) |
HAC |
01:35:58 |
04:44:45 |
09:14:20 |
10:18:31 |
6635 |
|
MERVYN BOSWORTH SMITH
(2154) |
HAC |
01:29:21 |
04:19:03 |
08:58:54 |
10:03:56 |
5815 |
|
ADRIAN BRADSHAW (8879) |
HAC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEILL BRAND (15120) |
HAC |
01:34:21 |
04:40:06 |
09:11:37 |
10:18:30 |
6632 |
|
CHARLES CLARKE (13915) |
HAC |
01:18:33 |
03:46:52 |
07:08:10 |
07:51:56 |
1060 |
|
JAN CRONJE (41870) |
HAC |
01:29:47 |
04:14:46 |
07:57:34 |
08:52:26 |
2884 |
|
CHRIS DAVIS (3400) |
HAC |
01:32:57 |
04:26:45 |
08:58:26 |
09:59:49 |
5649 |
|
ENOCK DLAMINI (45058) |
HAC |
01:22:09 |
04:00:41 |
08:47:29 |
09:52:45 |
5222 |
|
MLUNGISI DLUNGWANE (19064) |
HAC |
01:37:46 |
05:01:17 |
10:08:42 |
|
|
|
SEAN DUPONT (43442) |
HAC |
01:50:54 |
|
|
|
|
|
LEE DUTTON (39157) |
HAC |
01:24:09 |
03:58:51 |
07:35:49 |
08:24:26 |
1819 |
|
ANDRE ELS (2543) |
HAC |
01:22:46 |
03:58:51 |
08:22:05 |
09:37:42 |
4434 |
|
MIKE GOLDSTONE (31) |
HAC |
01:54:17 |
05:23:45 |
09:54:04 |
10:52:57 |
10069 |
|
WINSTON GOVINDEN (42069) |
HAC |
01:47:21 |
|
|
|
|
|
ROBERT HYSLOP (10207) |
HAC |
01:29:48 |
04:29:06 |
08:48:47 |
09:41:20 |
4585 |
|
TONY JUGMOHAN (45493) |
HAC |
01:43:16 |
05:16:12 |
10:03:34 |
10:55:09 |
10360 |
|
CATHERINE KEIGHTLEY (48707) |
HAC |
01:52:52 |
05:20:57 |
10:04:09 |
10:59:42 |
11041 |
|
NIGEL KIDGELL (12797) |
HAC |
01:34:20 |
04:40:06 |
09:11:36 |
10:18:30 |
6631 |
|
GILES KING (6793) |
HAC |
01:34:03 |
04:29:06 |
08:51:36 |
09:51:13 |
5107 |
|
MERRILL KING (37190) |
HAC |
01:37:08 |
04:55:13 |
09:43:17 |
10:47:29 |
9240 |
|
IAN LILLEY (49382) |
HAC |
01:40:18 |
04:39:56 |
09:24:33 |
10:28:36 |
7367 |
|
PATRICK MALINGA (31381) |
HAC |
01:16:00 |
04:07:46 |
08:59:54 |
09:57:59 |
5544 |
|
BRADLEY MCDONALD (13803) |
HAC |
01:52:39 |
05:20:56 |
|
|
|
|
BENEDICT MLOTSHWA (35024) |
HAC |
01:02:44 |
03:21:25 |
08:17:59 |
09:32:57 |
4224 |
|
JOSEPH MLOTSHWA (3941) |
HAC |
01:07:16 |
03:29:45 |
07:33:55 |
08:24:33 |
1824 |
|
PETER MULLENBACH (12003) |
HAC |
01:33:45 |
04:35:53 |
|
|
|
|
HAPPY NDLELA (18968) |
HAC |
01:19:48 |
03:45:00 |
07:16:11 |
08:06:16 |
1342 |
|
DAVID NGCOBO (30867) |
HAC |
01:25:10 |
04:12:44 |
09:14:42 |
10:18:30 |
6633 |
|
PENWELL NGCOYA (30676) |
HAC |
01:14:32 |
03:41:18 |
07:27:39 |
08:32:43 |
2052 |
|
TODDY NGOBESE (45056) |
HAC |
01:43:12 |
05:17:54 |
10:26:04 |
|
|
|
MADHANLAL PANCHAM (45057) |
HAC |
01:42:03 |
05:00:26 |
10:10:34 |
|
|
|
DENNIS PILLAY (17031) |
HAC |
01:25:53 |
04:07:35 |
08:30:16 |
09:35:15 |
4304 |
|
SATHISEELAN PILLAY (15115) |
HAC |
01:46:27 |
05:13:51 |
|
|
|
|
YVONNE PURMASIR (49314) |
HAC |
01:42:02 |
04:57:25 |
10:07:04 |
|
|
|
KRISHNAND RAMKUBER (10192) |
HAC |
01:42:02 |
05:00:28 |
10:13:31 |
|
|
|
NARESH RAMNARAYAN (36388) |
HAC |
01:25:02 |
04:03:18 |
08:36:00 |
09:45:14 |
4777 |
|
SAYED SARKHOTH (41927) |
HAC |
01:35:28 |
04:29:53 |
08:49:24 |
09:41:19 |
4584 |
|
RAHIM SIRKHOT (49367) |
HAC |
01:36:12 |
04:29:19 |
08:38:16 |
09:28:10 |
4052 |
|
BRUCE SMITH (16524) |
HAC |
01:43:21 |
04:36:47 |
08:48:47 |
09:41:20 |
4586 |
|
VUSUMUZI SOKHELA (11008) |
HAC |
00:56:58 |
02:50:47 |
06:07:42 |
06:57:52 |
279 |
|
RAE STANLEY (10345) |
HAC |
01:49:41 |
05:10:03 |
09:52:40 |
10:50:09 |
9666 |
|
HARRY SYKES (4089) |
HAC |
01:51:50 |
05:13:35 |
10:04:25 |
|
|
|
PAUL THOMPSON (46931) |
HAC |
01:40:18 |
04:39:52 |
09:24:34 |
10:28:36 |
7365 |
|
CLINTON UNGERER (10046) |
HAC |
01:40:18 |
04:39:57 |
09:24:34 |
10:28:36 |
7363 |
|
KEVIN VANCE (19391) |
HAC |
01:50:54 |
05:11:23 |
09:27:58 |
10:21:23 |
6841 |
|
JOHN VISHNU (19066) |
HAC |
01:54:10 |
05:30:17 |
|
|
|
|
Comrades 2001Pietermaritzburg to Durban 89,9 km |
|
A phone call the night before the race from
Kieran Walsh and Gordon Geddes yields the news that Trevor Thompson will not
be starting in the morning. All other runners met by them over the past few
days at registration and the Durban expo indicate the runners are fit and
ready to go. My usual pre-race anxiety is evident. My experience is to run the race twice each
year. The first run taking place the "night before" when sleep
would be welcome alternate. This mind game involves the vivid recall of long
forgotten "lows" looming from a legacy of previous race experience.
It is a long restless night as the 4:30am alarm is awaited. Comrades without hesitation can be
described as a race superb in its organisation and execution. The usual
pre-race tension is heightened by the 2nd year of a seeded start
and the barring of any spectators from the start area. Our 16 OM’s runners
are slit over 3 major categories in B’s, D’s and E’s and some in F and H. The
seeding has benefits of a smooth start but means some lonely running ahead,
the cost of the organisation of the 15188 entrants. The "Chariots of Fire" played for
a full 15 minutes meant it lost some of its adrenaline hype. The 7°C
temperature going unnoticed with runners being sandwiched together in a tight
pack of some 15 000 runners. The usual banners and balloons indicating to the
supporters back home, via live TV coverage, where runners will be starting.
The chicken hat runner, the police / salvation army type uniform of another
are familiar sights. The gaunt faces and lean bodies testify to rigorous
training regimes of those around me. As I finish the 500ml of orange
"Power Aid" I spot more than a few novices indicated by the zero on
the bottom of their race number. I feel sorry for them as they have no idea
what they are letting themselves in for today. Attracted like insects to a
neon light of war stories of seasoned Comrades campaigners. They will soon
have their own heroic stories to tell that will emanate from the taxing hours
and hills ahead. There is no mistaking the start as the
canon fired first time this year. Max Timerborne’s cock crow being the canons
prelude. We inch forward with final waves to the TV cameras and the Mayor
perched high to the left on the large balcony of the Pietermaritzburg City
Hall. Soon out into the dark taking care to avoid
tripping over plastic bottles and plastic refuse bags that have already been
discarded by the up-front competitors. It takes just 90 seconds to cross the
start line although it will take several kilometres before one can settle
into an even running pace. The grave yard on the right hand side of
Commercial road, now protected by steel fencing, provides the first stop for
several hundred runners taking their first "comfort break".
Tombstones have now been spared from this bi-annual early morning watery
deluge. The brain is already running its first
diagnostic of the bodies signs of aches and pains. The first little climb
automatically triggers the assessment of the condition of legs rested over
the last 7 days since Bulawayo. Certainly it is a good feeling to be moving
after two agonising days wait in Pietermaritzburg and the last hour whilst I
was seated on the tar at the start line. At the first water point I start the strict
discipline of drinking the tart "Power Aid". The first gulp is an
instant reminder that it still tastes foul. This water point has only the
"Mountain Blue" available and I bristle. The first light of day
emerges to greet us with a bite of the fresh dawn air. Thankfully I am still
wearing one of the two T Shirts that formed my earlier "runners
wear" for the start line parade. The cough and cold that had me in its
grip during the last week seems to have arrested. The slow uphill to Polly
Shorts is compounded by the narrowing of Wellington Road and runners squeezed
into half the road width. Its gently down the 2km of Polly Shorts
that is traditionally run every second year. The humour and banter of the
runners around me is refreshing. Some radio disc jockey is inciting runners
to gallop up and over little Pollys and the long climb to Lion Park. Here we
will be greeted by the first sharp pitched wailing of champion chip mats.
Along this climb, at the 7th water point (14km), I see Shane and
Jane Classen and their recognition of me erupts into momentary exuberance .
Time split is as predicted. There is no chance of them running alongside the
throng as we are still densely packed into the two lane road. I spot sachets
of orange "Power Aid" that I hastily grab and have to instantly
discard as they are frozen solid. I am hooked into two HAC runners ahead of
me (Michelle Hogg and Dennis DuPreez). Out of the cold valley and its time to
shed the remaining T Shirt. The last of the cool air and the day looks set to
be hot. We cross through the underpass of Lion Park
and taste the first real crowd support since the start. The morning air bears
testimony of the Chicken farms ahead. Reminds me of being in Chapman Road
near Charlie Trollope's home in Bulawayo. Our training covered all aspects of
this race. We wind our way to Umlaas Road to complete
the climb of the last 7km to the races highest point at 824m. Mike Garden
with Rob Forfar in tow cruise past me as I find another banana and orange
segment to eat. The time split looks good and despite loosing sight of the
HAC pair my legs are strong. The next crowd support comes at Camperdown as
does running company with Rob Forfar who is running his 7th
Comrades. The boiled potatoes on the approach to the s bend through the shops
is welcome sustenance. We run past the scrap metal yards of Cato
Ridge before being joined by cars on the adjacent N3 highway. The legs are
starting to feel the miles before we run the "not so flat" Harrison
flats. The sun is certainly warming as we loose sight of any shade. This long featureless section ends with the
run past children propped on crutches and in wheel chairs. Their enthusiasm
inspires as one can tangibly feel their longing desire to run a fraction of
the miles we have already covered. Bayats store is well within the planned
split and again a gaggle of supporters are assembled at this point. I see our
blue hi-ace van parked to the right, but see no sign of Sandy, Dad or
Corrine. No point searching for them but rather stay focused for the climb up
Inchanga. My pace slackens and I am into my first walk. Rob Forfar had
already joined Michelle Hogg and Dennis DuPreez up ahead. They run out of
sight. The road ahead is threaded with a colourful
bead of runners crawling like a caterpillar around the sharp zigzag slope of
the next 2km stretch. The small veld fire on the right billows smoke into
more than receptive lungs. So the hidden cough re-emerges from the last few
days. Past the Marathon mark in 3:44 and over the
top of Inchanga. A purposeful slow gentle pace down into Drummond and a
return to the Pietermaritzburg start altitude. As I go through half way in
4:11 I am encouraged by this being my predicted time. My knees at this stage
are remarkably intact and there is little of former years pain. The "Pick and Pay" side boards
line the road and hold an unusually small crowd at bay. They are also subdued
by the raising temperatures though it is just past 10:00am.. Another slow walk out of Drummond and up
through Alverstone to the next hill – Botha's Hill. This section commences with the land marks of
"Newton’s Seat ", the Wall of Honour and MTN cellphone booths. A
runner up front jumps the steel crash barrier to gather wild flowers to place
on Newton’s seat. A tradition supposed to bring good fortune for the runner.
The seat cut out of the road-side cutting is already filled with flowers
denoting this customs popularity. Another kilometre and its time for the
first comfort break. Two Besamax seem appropriate having covered 50 odd
kilometre. As we approach Rob Roy and the hotel one
cannot fail to notice the uneven road alignment. This is my first sighting of
Charlie Trollope and clearly he is conserving energy by walking all the small
inclines. As we approach Kearsney College and some
welcome shade again I am disappointed at seeing half the grand stands empty.
This point is normally characterised by noisy animated school boys cheering
the runners on. A Saturday run obviously has its drawbacks as possibly the
weekly borders have returned home for the weekend. The strategy of half pace down Botha's Hill
again pays dividends. Many inexperienced runners have sped down the slopes of
Inchanga and Botha’s Hill to regret the indulgence 20km further on. I grin as
I see the practice being repeated again by the majority of those sprinting
past me. As we come off the steep slope at the bottom we are greeted by large
8 ft barrier fencing to the left. Thankfully it prevents many in this large
crowd crossing the road and out of control runners stumbling into each other.
Runners judgement and "braking" mechanisms are sorely impaired by
the gruelling down hills and 55km of the course covered so far. This is my first sighting of Sandy who
walks with me for a few meters. This walk will extend up the Winston Park
hill. A few jelly babies are my portion before setting off again over a
heavily populated crowd support section of the race. They offer much needed
moral support inspired by fatigued runners who mindlessly run on. The crowd
is certainly well fed and more than a few are imbibing copious amounts of
beer and champagne with their braai lunches. Mental discipline precludes us
stopping in for some of their generous hospitality. Again I sight Charlie Trollope this time
running with Rob Forfar. We will continue to overtake each other in surge and
counter surge running until we run together through Kloof and down Fields
Hill. As Hillcrest approaches we hear that Andrew
Kelehe has won the race. As the first South African to do so since 1997 the
crowd responds with exuberance. This win will record as the second fastest
time (05:25:51) recorded for a down run just behind Bruce Fordyce's record
05:24:07. The R 125 000 1st prize is his together with a R 55 000
1st S.A. runner prize. Kelehe was place 2nd in 1999 but
this run inspired by the tragic passing in March of his 18 month old daughter. It is here I have the first sighting of
Gordon Geddes walking. Drenched in water I pat Gordon on the shoulder as I
pass and encourage him to run with me. There is no response past a grunt of
displeasure. A few kilometre further I fall in step with
Charlie Trollope and Rob Forfar who are using short objective running
techniques to run through a low point. We agree "lets run to that next
good looking Marshall". The marshals on this stretch of road are young
good looking women who cheerfully respond to our thanks. As I run through Kloof I am just behind the
9 hour bus driven by a male celebrity who appears in the S.A. soap Isidingo.
He is cheered by the crowd who certainly recognise him as he runs by. As we
move into Village road I again see Sandy and the opportunity to a quick puff
from the asthma pump. We are into Fields Hill and again some
gentle running. I loose Charlie Trollope and Rob Forfar at this point and
endure the steep road camber and steep slopes to the bottom. We are in direct
contact with vehicular traffic and I am keeping pace with Sandy and family in
our blue Hi-Ace. We bottom out into the Main road of Pine
Town. It was at this point that Dipak had collapsed, news I would only glean
on 25 June. Morgan Jones having witnessed Dipak disorientated running behind
the spectators and then collapsing. The response was immediate and medics
rallies to his aid. For now the flat street stretches out for a few
kilometres to the bottom of Cowies hill. I glimpse Charlie one last time on
this stretch of the coarse. The incline up Cowies Hill is narrowed by a
large cheering crowd. It is on this ascent that I stroll past a TV camera and
a queue of runners awaiting their turn to appear on National TV. Pencil Nyoni
is lured into this trap. I press on up the slope knowing I will not need the
services of the green "porta loo" at its summit. (This was my
experience in 1999 and the inside of these toilets was indescribable). I descend the tree lined road before
emerging back onto the main M13 highway. Haj Hajat from H.A.C. passes meat
this point as does Pencil Nyoni. The next section through Westville is
extremely slow and I am finding I am also walking the down hills. This is my
final encounter with Sandy who with Dad and Corrine are drinking a warm
cuppa. Tea. No tea only coffee. Disappointed I soldier on on a regime of 3
jelly babies. Each mouthful of water tastes awful. The
preservative is too strong and I again spit it all out. I know I am probably
not drinking enough now for a warm day inspite of taking long walks. It is
reported as 26°C in the shade yet this latter 14km of the route is in bright
sunshine. The Durban humidity adds to the discomfort. I have a steady stream
of runners also engaged in a sedentary walk. Finally I approach 45th cutting
again characterised by large crowds restricting the road to a meter few
meters. I pass through the claustrophobic tunnel of people who are frenzied
by the loud music and commentary from an exceptionally loud P.A. system.
Surfacing over the crest of the hill I limp down to Mayville where we cross
the pen-ultimate champion chip timer mats. This will be the final timing
split until the finish. Several Imperial car Rental vans are parked here
obviously awaiting their prey when the 10:30 hour cut off strikes. I crawl up the off ramp and once on the N3
highway run past Rob Forfar who does not join me. Its just 6,5 km to go. As I
approach the tollgate I know it is going to be a 5,5km walk to the finish
line. Even the troupe of young gymnastic dancing girls at this point do not
revive my spirits. Again I skip the water point as has been my custom for the
last 8 kilometres. With just 3km to go I start to wretch. This is a first and
not part of my usual Comrades repertoire. A few hundred metres and I and will
cross the flyover. The taxi rank below looks busy. I again mark the tar with
the remains of my stomach contents. I view a runner lying on the grass the
other side of the steel crash rail. Will anybody find him here ? He is
motionless and I fear for his safety. Its is 2km to go and I am well along the
flat section on Pine Street. Adriaan Verhagen of H.A.C. appears and says
"lets run in together for GSE" (he was a member of my GSE team to
California in April/May 2000). I veer to the right hand side of the road and
continue spewing over the tar. Next Rob Forfar appears and after a brief
check on my condition runs on. Gordon Geddes passes me without noticing with
1km to go. His fixed forward stare has him focused on an imaginary hare. He
arrives in the Stadium a full 5 minutes ahead of me. I finally arrive at the finish line and
stumble through the crowd clutching my 9th medal ( 09:49 hour
finish). The Foreign Competitors tent looms and a welcome lie down. Gordon
Geddes on my right is semi prone armed with a cup of soup. I am furnished
with a welcome space blanket that adds some warmth. I have already shed my
running vest and donned a tracksuit top. A cup of tea arrives at the same
point that my vomiting returns. Gordon claims I was only trying to refill his
soup cup. A paper bag appears soon afterwards as does 4 energetic stretcher
bearers. Hey hoe and off to the medical tent I go fighting through
uncooperative crowds. The medical tent will fill the next 2 hours. The medical facility is filled with
groaning runners, and barked commands from innumerable doctors and nursing
staff. Two runners fairly near me receive what looks like serious medical
attention. Electrostatic paddles, oxygen and drips are their diet. One male
runner is certainly in labour having a baby. A condition I believe heightened
by the drip fluids as they take toxins out of the blood via excruciating
kidney pain. I fortunately am spared this experience. A quick blood test
shows an immediate blood sugar reading of 6,2 that I am counselled as normal.
Another 20ml is taken for a battery of blood tests whose results are
scrutinised without comment. I am amazed that the blood results find their
way back to my stretcher bed numbered 39. All beds are full and the talk is
"they are dropping like flies" at the finish. The tent is
positioned behind the grandstand so the crescendo of crowd support as 11
hours approaches is masked completely. The young good looking women I think are
designed to help your recovery. Pity their first attempt at infusing a
reviving drip tissued. The only benefit being a right biceps that would match
that of a WWF wrestler. This medical staff are to be commended. I learn they
have worked for 4 hours and are predicting another three hours before the day
is out. Technology supports their efforts as two-way radios keep pace with
dire emergencies. Ambulance crews arrive and take bodies out into the dark. I
discover the only "pass out" is a compulsory trip to the loo. With
half the 3% dextrose solution in my right biceps I take the full drip, before
rising to awkwardly walk to the adjacent toilets. Bingo the bladder did see
some of the dextrose solution after all. It has taken an age. Sharon Tiernay is seen limping out of the
exit to the tent. A quick conversation with her reveals her obvious disappointed
not to no have finished. The retirees being Dipak Naik leaving the course at
Pine Town and straight to hospital, Mike Clark retiring after some 80km
having run with a cracked elbow. Sharon Tiernay and Ann Walder had endured
82km before retiring. Mandy Beveridge having missed the half-way cut of 5
hours 45 minutes. Poor Trevor Thompson having spent the last two days in bed
was wise not to start the race. I leave the medical tent at 6:30pm and see
the final few minutes of the French vs Boks rugby on the big stadium screen.
The stadium is abandoned except for anxious relatives a few Comrades
officials and lines of "space blanket" bodies still lining the
outside of the medical facility. It takes a further hour to locate our two
novice runners (Clements and Jethro) that sees us depart Durban at 7:30pm
headed for Pietermaritzburg. The day closes with dropping Gordon, then
Pencil, Clements and Jethro at their overnight accommodation. Soup is very
welcome after a warm bath. We take a call from Vimal Naik looking for news of
Dipak. We can only point him to Gordon’s contact number. It is now 9:30pm and
the end of a long day. A full 28 hours later we learn of Dipak’s
passing in ICU at St Augustines hospital. We receive this news via a
cellphone conversation between Gordon and Jenny as we travel through Gwanda
after 13 hours on the road. The shock and disbelief lingers well past the
next 7 days. Many of the runners attend Dipaks funeral on Tuesday afternoon.
We all struggle with a fresh dimension to the race that we have not had to
deal with before. The sweat and struggle through many early morning training
sessions together has bonded us far closer than could be imagined. The 2001 Comrades run will remain a memory
for a lifetime. Why we attempt this race is still a question without adequate
response. The memory of this years run will linger
long after the aching muscles and joints have healed. |