Ultramarathon Main Page

The Comrades Marathon is run every year on Youth Day in South Africa.  Youth Day is June 16 unless it is moved to the 17th due to the 16th falling on a Sunday.  The Comrades Marathon has a rich history, and was started to honor fallen comrades of South African soldiers during World War I.  This "marathon" is longer than a standard 42.2K (26.2M) marathon - it is nearly 90K or 56 miles.  Each year the direction is alternated.  In 2000 the race began in Durban and ran "up" to Pietermaritzburg, including 8000 feet of climb and 5000 feet of descent for a net increase in elevation of 3000 feet.  In 2001 the race was run down from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.  You can find out more about the race on their web site at http://www.comrades.com.

This is the only race that I point for any more.  I've been to 6. started 5, finished 3 , and you can find links to those stories above.  If I finish it 7 more times they will give me a green number.