FILE. South Africa’s passion for ultra-marathons, epitomised by the prestigious Comrades Marathon, highlights the nation’s unique sporting culture where resilience and perseverance are celebrated above all else. Picture: RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP
If you’ve spent any time at all around runners in South Africa, you’ve probably heard the phrase “You’re not a real runner if you haven’t done Comrades”, and while I don’t agree with that statement at all, it certainly emphasises the fact that South Africa is an ultra-marathon mad country.
Outside of South Africa, many runners regard running a standard marathon, which is 42.2km, as the ultimate achievement.
In South Africa, though, the two biggest races on the road running calendar are ultra marathons.
In April, you have the 56km Two Oceans Marathon, and then in June, you have the big C - The Comrades Marathon. Comrades, of course, normally measures somewhere between 85km and 90km, depending on the route, which tends to vary each year.
