Comrades - Facts and Figures

The oldest and largest ultra-marathon takes to the streets of KwaZulu-Natal this coming Sunday.

It will be the 88th running of this prestigious event and will begin at Durban City Hall and wind its way up to The Cricket Oval in Pietermaritzburg.

Everyone has a story to tell about their Comrades Marathon experience. The race is an individual battle of not only physical strength, but of mental vigour. It’s about preparation and execution. No matter how much training, the runners never know what is going to happen on the day.

Here are some interesting facts about what happens to an athlete when running the Comrades Marathon:

- 14% of runners will suffer from dizziness at some point in the race.
- It will take the average runner 111 250 strides to complete the race.
- 43% of runners will suffer from cramp during the run.
- The average age of Comrades runners is 42 for men and 40 for ladies.
- The average person will sweat about 4.5 litres of liquid.
- Runners will lose between three and five kilograms during the race.
- 50% of the runners finish in the last hour.

So what is this obsession about the Comrades Marathon?

The race has shown over the many years that it’s a race for the masses. Every sphere of society is represented in the race and South Africans respect the dedication involved in completing this gruelling event. Many people spend 12 hours in front of the television with a strange fascination for the pain that the athletes endure. Comrades Day has become a national pastime. We must also mention the thousands who show their support on the route.

The legendary Zola Budd will again be part of a field of nearly 20 000 athletes to hit the road this year. Budd completed her first ever ultra-marathon last year alongside good friend and nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce who remarkably finished his 30th race. Fordyce will not be running this year.

To all the runners in 2013, good luck, break a leg (well, not really) and know that South Africans continue to respect and admire your achievements.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Peter van Onselen