Durban - The joy of the Comrades Marathon is that it is indeed the”ultimate human race” and every one of the 21 000-odd runners will face their own drama and demons over the 89km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday.
The last runner across the line, the remarkable costumes and causes, the agony of defeat and giving in – but not giving up, are all part of what makes this race a spectacle. But don’t forget the veritable drama that comes at the head of the race with the elite runners.
The women’s race became a real focus for fans last year when Caroline Wöstmann defied expectations to claim the title after lacing up her running shoes for the first time eight years ago to try and lose some baby weight. Wöstmann’s charge for glory included bouts of walking, and even toilet breaks, but it is a system that works for her, according to coach Lindsey Parry.
”When we went over the plan for the race last year, Caroline said she had never run the Comrades without walking (including picking up a gold medal in 2014),” Parry said.
“So we made the decision to let her run the race in a way she found comfortable.”Wöstmann was steadily rising in the world of long distance running, having won the Two Oceans Marathon a few months before Comrades last year.
This year she managed to defend her Two Oceans crown, and set herself up for a history-making potential double. Wöstmann is in prime position to defend her Comrades title again this year, but the coach says it is not weighing on her mind too heavily.
”There is much talk about defending the Comrades after doing so well with the Two Oceans,” Parry explained. “But Caroline does not feel the pressure to win, her victory at the Two Oceans has helped take the pressure to win a major race off her shoulders. We have a plan, and if everything goes accordingly and she is still beaten, Caroline will be the first to high-five the winner.
”One person who will be looking to chase Wöstmann for the winners medal is Charné Bosman, who was runner-up last year, and is another of Parry’s athletes.
”Both are looking strong, but they’re very different athletes,” Parry added. “I can’t say I can pick a favourite, but I’d be very surprised if both are not on the podium.
”The men’s race is far less clear-cut this year. But one thing is for certain, there is a much higher chance of a South African winner with the Russian elite athletes banned from international sport.In 2012, Ludwick Mamabolo finally broke the foreign monopoly of the race to become the first South African to take the honours since Sipho Ngomane in 2005.
He is looking strong and hungry for another win.Last year’s winner, policeman Gift Kelehe, returns to defend his crown – a feat that has not been done by a South African since Bruce Fordyce in 1988.
Stephen Muzhingi of Zimbabwe is a recognisable name, having won the race three times in a row from 2009 and he, too, returns alongside 2013 winner Claude Moshiywa.South Africa, in particular, hope to make it a repeat of last year's two home-grown winners – the last time before 2015 being Jetman Msutu and Frances van Blerk in 1992.
Saturday Star