Comrades 2019

Peter R · January 2019

Max - Great Story and good to see it making the Comrades email as well where I am sure more people will have read it. I actually started running about 15 years ago because a friend had a heart transplant asked me to do the Great Wall Of China marathon with him, for transplant awareness. It was my first marathon, and I am still surprised I did anymore as it wasnt the easiest of starts to marathon running.

Well done lowrez and Marty

I seem to have entered the Gloucester marathon this weekend .. oops.

Debra Bourne · January 2019

lowrez, sadly unless someone can lend me both a time machine and a teleporter, I won't be at Comrades this year: I will still be making my way towards Eastbourne along the South Downs Way when you all set off from Durban...

jkissane · January 2019

Thanks for the story Max, certainly shows that we shouldn't put limits on what we can do.

Booked my own flights today, arriving in Durban (via Heathrow & Joburg) at 14:25 on Fri 7th so will take the airport bus to the Hilton to sort out registration & then it looks like a ~2k walk to the Blue Waters hotel where I'll stay 'til Tues 11th.

That's it now, 100% committed!

Max Mladenovic 2 · January 2019

Thanks for the feedback on my story. Hopefully meet McHilly and Fido at the Silkin Way and Stratford, and looking at qualifying times, Marty and JKissane in Pen C on race day. Peter, great that you have kept going for 15 years after your heart transplant friend got you started and a nice Pen B qualification this year! Mac3, if you see someone in a hoody with a dubious beard, moustache and dark glasses at the Expo you'll know it's me in disguise hiding from the fans

1owrez · January 2019

I know a guy called Frink who has both Debra...

1owrez · January 2019

Peter, Gloucester was my plan B if I couldn't get to Xiamen, I like how you've just inadvertently stumbled into it... am I right in thinking that there is more than one wall of China marathon, and, that they are all pretty much duds in terms of getting a reasonable time out of them? I can imagine they are extremely congested because of the "bandwidth" and so they are mainly an "experience" rather than anything serious?

1owrez · January 2019

Max, I am, as ever, an impostor, but I too will be in Pen.C. I have never beaten 11:52 so far, the charity boost is the only thing keeping me in the game. Although Dannirr did make the very sound observation that you do what you have to do to get home, I agree with that perspective, although on some occasions scary desperation is about all my engines have been running on by the end!

1owrez · January 2019

Comrades 2019 Qualification
27Aug Qualification Starts
16Sep Goodwood (M) justanothrrnr-Q3:54-PenD
16Sep Berlin (M) Running Rodent-Q4:44-PenH
24Sep Emilia-Romagna, Italy (IM) Peter R-Q3:48-PenB-Going-for-Green
07Oct Chester (M) seren nos-Q4:28-PenG, marty74-Q3:25-PenC
07Oct Bremen (M) Becca7-Q4:28-PenG
07Oct Chicago (M) Mc Hilly-Q4:40-PenH, Slow Duck-Q3:57-PenD-(or-E)-Going-for-Double-Yellow
14Oct Leicester (M) Max Mladenovic 2-Q3:35-PenC-Going-for-Back-to-Back
21Oct Amsterdam (M) mordo-Q4:39-PenH, Mac3-Q3:20-PenC seagypsy-Q4:20-PenG
27Oct Beachy Head (M) Debra Bourne-Q4:48PenH
28Oct Marine Corps (M) jkissane-Q3:21-PenC
04Nov Soweto Marathon (M) Bike It-Q4:46-PenH
04Nov New York (M) Matt..-Q3:59-PenD
18Nov Mega Challenge (M) TCP-Q4:44-PenH
02Dec California International Marathon (M) Dannirr-Q4:36-PenH
06Jan Xiamen (M) 1owrez-Q4:48-PenCC
20Jan Gloucester (M) Peter R
02Feb Pilgrim Challenge (U) mordo
17Feb Seville (M) Mac3
17Feb St Valentine's (30k) Becca7
25Feb 100 Marathon Club AGM (M) TCP
02Mar Book Day Challenge (M) TCP
03Mar Tokyo (M) Becca7
09 Mar Samphire 100 (U) Debra Bourne
17Mar Utrecht (M) Mac3
24Mar Canalathon (75k) mordo
30Mar Silkin Way (U) Max Mladenovic 2, Mc Hilly
06Apr South Downs Way 50 (U) Debra Bourne
07Apr Rotterdam (M) mordo
07Apr Manchester (M) seagypsy
13Apr TinT Fortitude (M) TCP, Southern Snail
14Apr Boston UK (M) Terry48, Debra Bourne, 1owrez, Dannirr
14Apr TinT Gauntlet (M) TCP, Southern Snail
15Apr Boston USA (M)
15Apr TinT Dauntless (M) TCP, Southern Snail
16Apr TinT Resolute (M) TCP, Southern Snail
17Apr TinT Perseverance (M) TCP, Southern Snail
18Apr TinT Adversity (M) TCP, Southern Snail
19Apr TinT Intrepid (M) TCP, Southern Snail
20Apr TinT Indomitable (M) TCP, Southern Snail, marty74
21Apr TinT Unbreakable (M) TCP, Southern Snail
22Apr TinT Invincible (M) TCP, Southern Snail
28Apr Shakespeare (M) Max Mladenovic 2, Fido2Dogs(½)
28Apr London (M) Becca7, 1owrez, thomasclowes, Dannirr
02May Qualification and Race4Charity (PenCC) Closes
09Jun Comrades

Accommodation
Belaire Terry48, Becca7, Mc Hilly, Max Mladenovic 2, Mac3, justanothrrnr
Hilton 1owrez, Dannirr, Running Rodent, Peter R
Blue Waters jkissane
ONOMO TCP, marty74, Slow Duck

Flights
Terry48 AF LHR-CDG ArrJNB26th09:55 Ret12th
Max Mladenovic 2 KLM/AF BHX-AMS ArrJNB4th Ret15th
TCP BA LHR-JNB-DUR ArrJNB6th09:15Dep15:40ArrDUR16:45 Ret?
Peter R BA ArrDUR6th Ret11th
thomasclowes, serenos BA LHR ArrDUR7th05:35 Ret18th
1owrez BA/VA MAN-LHR ArrJNB7th06:30Dep08:55ArrDUR10:00 Ret10th
Mc Hilly VA/BA ArrDUR7th Ret10th
jkissane LHR-JNB-DUR Arr7th14:25 Ret11th

1owrez · January 2019

Some bloke running a marathon...

rodeoflip · January 2019

Can't be. He's smiling. No-one I know smiles while running marathons.

1owrez · January 2019

Same bloke smiling running Comrades, well actually I am standing still and facing completely the wrong way! I suddenly realised I had run past the crew and missed my hug, so this is the one and only time I turned around and ran back up the road - in any race I can remember actually - I was on for 11:53 at the time so knew I had a minute or two to spare

Are you in for Comrades this year Liam? Tell us your story and your up coming events. Have you qualified yet? And we will add them to the list. What medal are you pitching for?

Becca7 · January 2019

The man in that photo isn't dressed as a stormtrooper or obscure superhero so I can only conclude that 1owrez's fame is such that runners are now dressing as him.

1owrez · January 2019

I am smiling in this one too, honest, it was only a 10 miler though - I was concerned that if I did this in China I might not make it back, or worse still even get through customs going in, the blaster might have been a little contentious - as it turned out I was a complete celeb just being me in Xiamen - didn't need anything to stand out from the crowd. Rumours have it that Batman will step out at the 4 Villages on Sunday! But probably not the Batman you would expect!

Running Rodent · January 2019

Mac3 - looking at that list I’m hoping you’ve noticed that the Utrecht marathon has now been moved to May? I had that on my list too, but there are new organisers this year and they’ve changed the date.

1owrez · January 2019

Blimey its gone completely out the window, literally, good job he stepped out in Amsterdam already!

Debra Bourne · January 2019

lowrez: Good photos.

N.B. I'm not running SWD50 on 6th April - I'm running NDW50, 18th May.

1owrez · January 2019

Debra Bourne said:

lowrez: yes, but I'm not doing that next year. And I must fit in two recces for NDW 50 and four for SDW100 as well as the two for Lakeland 50. Might go for Wendover Woods in November, since I won't have the 10-in-10.
Agree it was quite warm out this morning - very mild for the end of December. As for the person taking photos: !!!!

Ooo baby I love your ways Debra, quite confusing, although I see my lack of attention to detail now!

Debra Bourne · January 2019

lowrez: yes, I see that could be confusing. I would have entered for SDW50 as well, but I have a conference I need to go to for work, that clashes (every year...). So if I want to do a Centurion Grand Slam (has crossed my mind) it would have to be the 100s (unless I get a new job). I did 5 x 50 mile events in 2013, but only two were Centurion ones - they didn't have Chiltern Wonderland or Wendover Woods back then.

1owrez · January 2019

Comrades 2019 Qualification
27Aug Qualification Starts
16Sep Goodwood (M) justanothrrnr-Q3:54-PenD
16Sep Berlin (M) Running Rodent-Q4:44-PenH
24Sep Emilia-Romagna, Italy (IM) Peter R-Q3:48-PenB-Going-for-Green
07Oct Chester (M) seren nos-Q4:28-PenG, marty74-Q3:25-PenC
07Oct Bremen (M) Becca7-Q4:28-PenG
07Oct Chicago (M) Mc Hilly-Q4:40-PenH, Slow Duck-Q3:57-PenD(or E)-Going-for-Double-Yellow
14Oct Leicester (M) Max Mladenovic 2-Q3:35-PenC-Going-for-Back-to-Back
21Oct Amsterdam (M) mordo-Q4:39-PenH, Mac3-Q3:20-PenC seagypsy-Q4:20-PenG
27Oct Beachy Head (M) Debra Bourne-Q4:48PenH
28Oct Marine Corps (M) jkissane-Q3:21-PenC
04Nov Soweto Marathon (M) Bike It-Q4:46-PenH
04Nov New York (M) Matt..-Q3:59-PenD
18Nov Mega Challenge (M) TCP-Q4:44-PenH
02Dec California International Marathon (M) Dannirr-Q4:36-PenH
06Jan Xiamen (M) 1owrez-Q4:48-PenCC
20Jan Gloucester (M) Peter R
02Feb Pilgrim Challenge (U) mordo
17Feb Seville (M) Mac3
17Feb St Valentine's (30k) Becca7
25Feb 100 Marathon Club AGM (M) TCP
02Mar Book Day Challenge (M) TCP
03Mar Tokyo (M) Becca7
09 Mar Samphire 100 (U) Debra Bourne
24Mar Canalathon (75k) mordo
30Mar Silkin Way (U) Max Mladenovic 2, Mc Hilly
07Apr Rotterdam (M) mordo
07Apr Manchester (M) seagypsy
13Apr TinT Fortitude (M) TCP, Southern Snail
14Apr Boston UK (M) Terry48, Debra Bourne, 1owrez, Dannirr
14Apr TinT Gauntlet (M) TCP, Southern Snail
15Apr Boston USA (M)
15Apr TinT Dauntless (M) TCP, Southern Snail
16Apr TinT Resolute (M) TCP, Southern Snail
17Apr TinT Perseverance (M) TCP, Southern Snail
18Apr TinT Adversity (M) TCP, Southern Snail
19Apr TinT Intrepid (M) TCP, Southern Snail
20Apr TinT Indomitable (M) TCP, Southern Snail, marty74
21Apr TinT Unbreakable (M) TCP, Southern Snail
22Apr TinT Invincible (M) TCP, Southern Snail
28Apr Shakespeare (M) Max Mladenovic 2, Fido2Dogs(½)
28Apr London (M) Becca7, 1owrez, thomasclowes, Dannirr
02May Qualification and Race4Charity (PenCC) Closes
09Jun Comrades

Accommodation
Belaire Terry48, Becca7, Mc Hilly, Max Mladenovic 2, Mac3, justanothrrnr
Hilton 1owrez, Dannirr, Running Rodent, Peter R
Blue Waters jkissane
ONOMO TCP, marty74, Slow Duck

Flights
Terry48 AF LHR-CDG ArrJNB26th09:55 Ret12th
Max Mladenovic 2 KLM/AF BHX-AMS ArrJNB4th Ret15th
TCP BA LHR-JNB-DUR ArrJNB6th09:15Dep15:40ArrDUR16:45 Ret?
Peter R BA ArrDUR6th Ret11th
thomasclowes, serenos BA LHR ArrDUR7th05:35 Ret18th
1owrez BA/VA MAN-LHR ArrJNB7th06:30Dep08:55ArrDUR10:00 Ret10th
Mc Hilly VA/BA ArrDUR7th Ret10th
jkissane LHR-JNB-DUR Arr7th14:25 Ret11th

rodeoflip · January 2019

lowrez, I've been thinking about Comrades for a few years now. Been mulling it over in the background but never seriously. Next year being 2020 and all that, I'm thinking about doing something different / special, and the more I read about Comrades, the more boxes it ticks. I've done about 20 marathons (including 7 x London), the most "special" so far being Boston 2017 (the year it was too hot. Way too hot for a Scotsman). Boston was incredible, but I was walking long before halfway and was taken off the finish line in a wheelchair by an old dear, which was not my proudest moment. Still managed to get GFA at London 6 days later, though, despite actually not being able to walk properly.

Marathon PB is 3:05:05, so you can guess what my ultimate goal is. Currently signed up for Barcelona, Manchester and London marathons this year, as well as a few halfs. Thinking about Loch Ness, but dunno. I can't see me getting GFA this year, but should be able to qualify for Boston next year.

If I do Comrades, it'll be next year, and negotiations have been tentatively started with SWMBO. She hasn't outright said "no" so we're off to a good start. Which medal? Who knows? I know what I can do over 26.2 miles, but 56 is a whole different kettle of fish. Add in the hills, and the African weather, and who knows? I'm sure everyone else on this thread could estimate my potential time at Comrades better than I could. A cliché I know, but I would be planning to finish under 12 hours, and anything better than that would be a bonus. It sounds like Comrades is genuinely about the distance and competing - you can't help but compare marathon times but Comrades is a unique race over a unique distance, and therefore kind of incomparable. My plan would be to set off at a conservative pace and see what happens.

Am I right in thinking that the down year is physically easier than the up year? 2020 being a down year makes it feel less daunting, but it would be good to have that confirmed by those who've don both.

I'm very jealous of everyone running this year, and I would dearly love to be there next year. Never been to South Africa, so would be an awesome experience I'm sure. Ideally could be running Boston and Comrades, that would certainly mark 2020 as a special year, no matter what else happens.

I'll be "loitering with intent" on this thread, so looking forward to seeing how you all get on this year. Good luck all.

1owrez · January 2019

rodeoflip: Wow; you are a very accomplished runner and I would expect you to eat Comrades for breakfast, but you do have to give it due respect. There are some crazy calculators that can be brought to bear on your stats to give an indicator of how well you might be able to do. Having a crack at some other ultra distances first will begin to give you a level of confidence about going longer. I would say the down run is more difficult to "manage" than the up, it is much more "technical", but I am a bit of a plodder and won't hit anywhere near the thresholds faster people will. To me the up run is a great day out, a war of attrition over all those climbs, but it doesn't batter you the way the down can. Here's hoping you can get out to SA in 2020, it is a wonderful run.

rodeoflip · January 2019

"Down" runs are meant to be easy, but Boston taught me that that's not necessarily the case. And that's nowhere near the elevation changes involved in Comrades.

Nothing wrong with being a "plodder", if & when I do Comrades that will be my plan from the start!

1owrez · January 2019

I think our celebrity Max Mladenovic 2 needs to comment on your potential rodeoflip; debuting last year on a down run and achieving an incredible result he's illustrated what a first timer can achieve with a well planned intelligent assault on a down run.

Mac3 · January 2019

Running Rodent - thanks for pointing out re Utrecht. I did get a note from the organisers on this and I was disappointed as it did fit nicely into the schedule. It was also on St. Patricks Day and I was intent on a green outfit :-) I might still do it on 12 May as it's my local race but only as a training run, or the half at least.

@Lowrez, not wishing to create too much extra work for you but on your next update can you remove Utrecht from the list now but add in Rotterdam on 7 April (Mordo - should try to make contact somehow, perhaps at Expo). I'm not doing Seville 17 Feb, as I opted for a 1/2M at Tunbridge Wells.

Mac3 · January 2019

That's what you call a hug Lowrez! Great pic.

rodeoflip · January 2019

That would be interesting, but there's already a problem. You mentioned "intelligent".

I'm the guy who raced three marathons last year, two in record temperatures and set off in both at sub-3 pace. Needless to say, finishing pace was slightly more than sub-3.

I must try this "intelligent" strategy you speak of someday.

1owrez · January 2019

I have on many occasions, and no doubt will on many again, gone off too fast with great bravado simply because I can, and it feels so good, and this time it will last for ever, aaaannnnddd ccraaasshhheeedddd terrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrribbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbllly, sometimes discovering a second wind, but not very often. I would say there is nothing wrong with over-respecting Comrades on your first two goes. There is a lot to lose in that first completion and the back-to-back, but following that there is nothing wrong with having a go. I did that last year off the back of far too little training and whilst I breached half way on target I crashed horribly in the second half. It was only Slow Duck giving me a push with 3 miles to go that got me over the line in 11:55... that was 55 minutes off my target! But if I had gone the wrong side of 12 I would not have been too cut up, there is enough kudos in knowing you executed the game plan to achieve your goal even if it fails, you learn a lot by taking risks sometimes.

garyhf · January 2019

Good Afternoon All. I will being doing comrades this year in which I am based Nr Durban and have an accommodation package available( at my home) Please private message me if you are interested. Apologies if wrong forum but not sure where to post it . Gary Comrades 59855

1owrez · January 2019

Hi Gary, you are going for No.6 I see

have you had a bad time these past 2 years? Sorry if I have raised something you might not want to discuss. Have you qualified yet? Thanks for the lodgings heads up.

Mc Hilly · January 2019

Hi Rodeoflip and Gary, welcome to the thread! I don't think there is a correct answer to which is easiest, up or down? Neither is easy! And both have lots of up and down! The challenges are slightly different on each ( laws of physics say up must be more effort, but down is more pounding on your joints) I think if your instinct tells you that down is easiest, then that is the one you will find easiest! Also, be warned its very addictive, most of on here probably only intended to do it once, but find ourselves returning....so you'll probably get to experience it in both directions.

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