Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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The Comrades Marathon will be this Sunday, 2 June, and slightly shorter than some years, coming in at 86.9 km. It is the up-run, which is harder but easier for taller, bigger men who tend to struggle more on downhills. I think the Comrades has lost a lot in recent years, not only because we are back into international sport and the Currie Cup Final is not the only game in town, but also because the commentary teams for this event on SABC in particular are so poor and it is so overdone as a unifying event that everybody has to have their chance, some with much less credentials than others, to give expert commentary.
Personally, I don’t really watch it anymore, other than perhaps having a look at about 10.15 am to see who the leading men are and then perhaps roundabout 10:45am by which time you should be able to work out who is going to win the race, most years in any event. The one thing that I will always credit somebody who runs the Comrades Marathon with is mental toughness and endurance. You don’t have to be an athlete to run the Comrades, and you don’t have to be in shape to run the Comrades as the images you will see on your TV close to 5 pm will testify to.
All you have to do is to have mental toughness and to be determined to finish and those who run and finish the Comrades will always respect any other person, from a perseverance point of view, who can finish the Comrades Marathon. It is not a limited number of people, and as I’ve said you don’t have to be physically strong, terribly fit or in shape, although attempting the Comrades without a basic level of fitness would obviously be a recipe for disaster. The one thing I will agree with is they are nuts to do it. I ran my last of three Comrades in about 1994 and I have no intention of ever doing it again!
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 30-May-13
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Comments
Caron said:
on Friday 31-May-13 03:43 PM
Why run when you can drive?! To quote my general practitioner.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 31-May-13 02:33 PM
I will certainly be watching the start of the marathon and the ending. The aid the runners give each other over the finishing line still causes cold shivers down my spine.
Catherine said:
on Friday 31-May-13 02:32 PM
I have always watched comrades Marathon and will definitely watch it on Sunday. I will participate in one day.
moenisha said:
on Friday 31-May-13 08:50 AM
I try and watch every year because my husbands cousin and his wife runs the comrades but there are so many people you really don't see the ones you look for so eventually you just check the race in between programmes but hats off to all the people running it takes guts and determination even for the one coming in last.
Nicky said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 05:01 PM
I agree that the coverage of the Comrades Marathon is not what it used to be-especially because the coverage of the finishing line isn't as emotional any more. I think that people have also lost interest in watching the comrades because it is no longer on the 16th of June- a date everybody will remember.
I however am glued to my screen every year watching the comrades as my father is a Comrades runner.
Cherise said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 04:03 PM
I think there is so many sports and channels for us to choose from that one can really miss a lot of great sports that are happening in our world today.
Tanya - The T said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 12:58 PM
I think doing the comrades in instances where you are not an athlete is a journey of soul to be respected and honoured if completed.
Joyce said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 12:32 PM
I am not a fan of marathons but I think it can be an interesting sport to watch
Sinead said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 10:31 AM
I was never one to watch the Comrades because it is so boring lol. My boyfriend's uncle is planning on running in the next Comrades Marathon and I take my hat off to him and others who participate.
Simone said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 09:53 AM
I remember watching this as a kid with my parents and snuggling in them with bed. It's amazing how people finish the race, but not something I would particularly watch now.
Ashleigh said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 08:59 AM
I will watch it when its something that is on. I don't keep up to date of when it will take place but I do find it interesting to see the outcome of the Marathon especially because all age groups are in it. I see it with Cyclists in our area as well. Makes on feel guilty that older people have more energy then them themselves.
Benita said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 08:31 AM
I feel the same as Brumilde on this. I also have respect for someone who can do the comrades, but I do not particularly watch it
Juliet said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 08:31 AM
I also remember watching it on TV and we would always have a "skottle" breakfast on the side of the road and cheer on the runners. I am sure people who live in Durban still do this. I am not much of a runner and I have no intention of ever running such a long race
Julie said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 08:22 AM
You are so right! Years ago we'd all sit snuggled on the couch watching the start of the race for an hour or so, run to grab something to nibble on and coffee and sit through the whole race. Lately I don't even know when the Comrades is!
david said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 07:45 AM
i remember as a kid standing at the top of botha's hill, opposite kearsney college, supporting the runners. but with so much other sport on the TV these days, i haven't even noticed the comrades in years.
Brumilde said:
on Thursday 30-May-13 07:34 AM
I really have allot of respect for people who run in marathons. It is just very boring to watch
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
