The Comrades Marathon occupies a profound space in the road running calendar of not only South Africans but daring ultra-distance runners internationally. All individual goals and training plans only focus on this highly acclaimed race. As the year unfolds it is all about qualifying and getting to the start. The race at mid-year is a test of guts, the will to finish and the glory to bag a medal.
For runners in South Africa it is madness-mania as they all become consumed to finish this majestic race. For the idle couch potato who watches at home, it is interesting that they also have a silent desire to complete one Comrades marathon in their lifetime irrespective of their ability and commitment to run.
This simply explains the status the race enjoys amongst all. Checkout Verulam Falcons has from its first year had participants in this phenomenal race and the participation numbers grew from a mere 10 participants to close to 100 participants.
Some have run one race and satisfied their desires and they are heroes in their own right, however many have valiantly and repeatedly got to the start year in and year out irrespective if they had finished the race the previous year.
The allure of participating in the race is infectious and eats into you as the Comrades bug never leaves the system. Once bitten you are infected for life.
Checkout Verulam Falcons has its own honours list inclusive of individual performances to those who are part of international elite by being members of the Green Number Club, by finishing 10 Comrades Marathons. Amongst the Green Numbers we also have super-elite who have amazingly finished 20 Comrades Marathons – an enviable feat reserved for a fortunate few only.
Ravin Singh, Bonginkosi Ngubane,Patrick Mnyandu, Vincent Nkosi, Eddie Singh and Logan Pillai are our own superstars and role-models in this remarkable race.
