Traps in the Comrades ultramarathon: the telling clock

Considered the world’s oldest ultramarathon, as the first was held on British Empire Day (later Commonwealth Day) in 1921 and is one of the highlights of the African runner’s calendar (along with Marathon des Sables), 89 km., the Marathon companions was disputed between the cities of Durban Y Pietermartizburgin the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and stands out for the range of hills nicknamed ‘The Big Five’ to be surmounted with the highest point at 870 m. over the sea.

The organization establishes a maximum time of 12 hours with five cut-off hours on the route to complete it. Since 2019, runners must prove that they have completed a marathon in under 4:50 hours. In addition, the route changes every year “down” (direction Durban) or ‘up’ (direction Pietermartizburg).

Until now, the comrades 8 victims were claimed due to extreme physical conditions and the time record is held by the Russian Leonid Shvetsov who completed it ‘up’ in 5:24:39 in 2008 while ‘down’, the South African david gatebe he won in 2016 in 5:18:19. This year, Aunt Dijana from South Africa did it in 5:30:38.

Many awards

There has been no shortage of rogues over the years who have attempted to trick the organization and other riders with their scams. Partly thanks to the orography of the terrain and the route, to be in a good position because, if for one thing the comrades, is the number of awards and medals. The first ten get a gold medal and a cash prize. Then, 7 more medals will be delivered according to the time it is completed. In addition, runners who have participated in 10, 20, 30 or 40 races will be given the same color number which is referred to as unique status.

Two for the price of one

Sergio Motsoeng He signed up in 1999 at the age of 19 for the comrades and hugged his twin brother Fika take turns during the race. He ran for the first 45 minutes, went to the bathroom, gave away his clothes Fika, he got in a car and waited for her for a few km. later. How many times have they been changed that’s why Sergio i can finish He came in ninth and won, in addition to the medal, about 6,000 rands at the time (1,200 euros). In front of the cameras, he assured that he will give the prize to his father who lives in a village. One of the most interesting signs of comrades is that many winners donate their prizes to charity.

different clocks

At the finish line, the runner too Nick Besteran ultramarathon veteran, complained that he had not seen it Sergio overtake him in the final stretch. And it was particularly unusual: Bester, who finished 15th that year, had a particular habit of counting runners. The comrades did not care until the local Afrikaans newspaper Beeld the deception was exposed. When looking at the negatives of the photos of the participants to be published, they realized that a runner with the same number had a watch on one wrist in one photo and another in the other. They publish them and Sergio he was stripped of the prize and the brothers were banned from competing in any ultramarathons for five years.

Recidivist

Sergio he was able to compete again in 2006. This was repeated in 2007, 2008 and 2009 although he did not reach a higher position than 30th. But in 2010 he was third. They found a banned substance, he received a two-year ban and lost the prize. He continues to maintain that he took nothing and competed again from 2013 to 2019. He retired at the age of 39 leaving claims that many more runners have cheated.

centennial event

In 2021, the comrades celebrated his 100 years since veteran of First World War Vic Clapham The race was invented to commemorate fallen soldiers. After traveling himself 2,700 km through German East Africa He wanted to organize a unique test of resistance to “celebrate the spirit of humanity in the face of adversity.” As a climax to its anniversary, the comrades have their own game monopoly. Something that other more popular ultramarathons don’t have