How did the Comrades Marathon originate?
How did the Comrades Marathon originate?
The race was the idea of World War I veteran Vic Clapham, to commemorate the South African soldiers killed during the war. Clapham, who had endured a 2,700-kilometre route march through sweltering German East Africa, wanted the memorial to be a unique test of the physical endurance of the entrants.
When did comrades start?
1921
Comrades Marathon/First event date
What is the purpose of Comrades Marathon?
OUR MISSION. The Comrades Marathon aims to achieve its vision through world-class race organisation, customer service and innovation, while retaining the ethos and traditions synonymous with the origins of the race in remembrance of protagonists in all conflicts including the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
What is the concept of a marathon is based on?
The idea for the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 40 kilometers, or nearly 25 miles, with the news of an important Greek victory over an invading army of Persians in 490 B.C. After making his announcement, the …
When was the very first marathon run?
In a nod to Greek history, the first marathon commemorated the run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield near the town of Marathon, Greece, to Athens in 490 B.C. According to legend, Pheidippides ran the approximately 25 miles to announce the defeat of the Persians to some anxious Athenians.
How old is Alan Robb?
The broadcaster Allan Robb, who has died aged 49, after suffering from multiple sclerosis, presented BBC news programmes on television and radio.
Is Comrade a Russian word?
Since the Russian Revolution, popular culture in the Western world has often associated it with communism. However, the term comrade is improperly attributed to Russian speakers, since Russians do not say comrade, but rather tovarisch (това́рищ).
Why is the Comrades Marathon considered a global event?
The Comrades Marathon: The world’s greatest ultra-marathon, 89 kilometres long, the Comrades is a South African institution, internationally recognised for the body-sapping challenge it poses and the camaraderie it fosters among its thousands of participants.
Who invented the marathon race?
The idea of a marathon race came from Michel Bréal, who wanted the event to feature in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. This idea was heavily supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, as well as by the Greeks.
How did a Marathon get its name?
The name Marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon (in which he had just fought), which took place in August or September, 490 BC.
Who invented the marathon?
How did the first marathon start?
The marathon was never one of the ancient Olympic events, although its origin dates back to another episode in ancient Greek history. In the 5th century B.C., the Persians invaded Greece, landing at Marathon, a small town about 26 miles from the city of Athens.
Where does the Comrades Marathon take place in South Africa?
The approximately 90K race is run in opposite directions every alternate year and is termed as “up-run” from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and “down-run” from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Who was the first winner of the Comrades Marathon?
Forty-eight runners entered the first race in 1921, but only thirty-four elected to start. The course at the time was tarred only for the final few kilometres into Durban. A time limit of 12 hours was set and Bill Rowan became the inaugural winner, clocking 08:59 to win by 41 minutes ahead of Harry Phillips.
When was the Comrades Marathon changed to Youth Day?
From 1962 to 1994 the race was run on Republic Day, 31 May. After this public holiday was scrapped in 1995 by the post- apartheid South African government, the race date was changed to Youth Day on 16 June.
What’s the training plan for the Comrades Marathon?
The plan was to run 4 days in a week with 1-day intervals or fartlek, 1-day tempo or miles repeat, 1-day Long run (20-30K) and 1-day recovery run (10-12K). Coach Parry (official coach for Comrades from South Africa) says that one must build a minimum of 1200KM in 5-months leading to race day, which means a 240-260KM per month or 65-70KM a week!!
