Kindly print out the pdf format bulletins for notice boards. Click on the icon to open the bulletin in pdf format.

27 June 2006: No 33/06

IT COMES FROM WITHIN – THE COMARADES MARATHON UP RUN: 2006

There are few events on the SA sporting calendar that generate as much interest, excitement, pride and national unity as the Comrades Marathon. The theme for this years Comrades Marathon “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” - an extract from the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, encapsulates the analogy “It comes from within”. As our athletes lined up for this 81st starting of the Comrades Marathon on the 16th June 2006, the preparation both physically and mentally has “come from within”.

The Comrades Marathon deemed “The Ultimate Human Race” still remains unchallenged as the greatest ultra marathon in the world. The exact distance of the 2006 Comrades Marathon is 87,50 km, about 600 m longer than the last “up run”, held in 2004. A Comrades Marathon “up run” is by no means a race for the fainthearted. It consists of 56 km of energy-sapping, uphill running and provides the ultimate test of human endurance. Many runners claim to prefer the “up run” over the “down run”, but logic dictates that when all else fails, gravity will pull you downhill, while only sheer guts and flagging energy reserves can power a runner uphill in the final stages of a Comrades Marathon.

On the 16th June 2006, as the Durban City Hall clock struck 05:30, thousands of runners began their epic journey of 87 km to Pietermaritzburg. A journey that stretched body and mind to the limits, a journey in which athletes experienced many highs and lows. A journey in which athletes fought a battle, not against a team or opponent, but against them- selfs. A journey in which all men and women are equal, as all have the same hills to climb and the same road to tread to be able to achieve their goal, a challenging event that is a great leveller. The Comrades Marathon changes forever the lives of all those it touches. It provides valuable experience which participants are able to take forward in their daily lives. It provides a lesson in assessing and accepting a challenge, planning and preparation, depending on your fellow beings, looking defeat in the eye and yet not accepting it. It makes one realize one’s hidden talent.

A total of ± 12100 athletes entered this year’s race. Altogether 187 DOD and SANDF runners completed the race.

The Defence Force had a special stand at “The Oval” in Pietermaritzburg where all the families and friends of the runners got together watching the race as the runners enter the stadium. The stand could be identified with the Four Service colours. Banners were displayed in front of the stand for easy identification.

Members from the Area Military Health Unit KZN provided physiotherapy services at the SANDF stand located at the “Finish” and assisted persons who were in need of medical care on completion of the race. They also manned a water point at 40 km into the race.

The first SANDF athlete to cross the finishing line was Cpl Samson Mkhize from SANDF athletic club Bloemfontein. His overall position out of ± 10 000 competitors who finished was 212th in a time of 07:03:25 seconds.

In the second position was Sgt Efese Peter from SANDF athletic club Eastern Province in a time of 07:05.16, an overall position of 228th and in the third position was Pte Ditshipi Mahlanya from SANDF Pretoria (GSB Wonderboom) in a time of 07:20:16 an overall position of 372nd.

The first woman running for the SANDF was WO1 Sandy De Beer from SANDF athletic club Durban with a time of 08:12:50 overall position 1121 and the 49 position among the lady runners.

The first Defence Reserve Force man, Mr Ayanda Mlotshwa of Natal Carbineers athletic club in a time of 06:57:10 in a overall position 170. Also from Natal Carbineers athletic club, as the first lady, in a time of 08:43:57 and an overall position 1838 and the 90th position among the lady runners was Ms Candyce Hall.

Col Zirk Lourens (09:49:55) and Richard Hammil (10:10:35) both from SANDC Pretoria completed their 22nd consecutive Comrades Marathon. Col Lourens also had an very success full live SABC 2 TV interview wrt the DOD/SANDF participation in the Comrades Marathon. Lt Col Christiaan Steyn of SANDF Pretoria, the chairperson of SANDF Road Runners Association completed the race in 07:51:10 seconds. The last SANDF runner to make the cut off time of 12 hours was R Adm (J.G.) Patrick Duze of SANDF ATHLETIC CLUB Western Province, in a time of 11:58:09.

On behalf of C SANDF and members of the Plenary Defence Staff Council, as well as the management of the SANDF Road Runners Association, we salute the brave men and women who have committed themselves to the epic journey this year and wish them well/ congratulate them on achieving their personal goal by completing the Comrades Marathon.

Enquiries: Col Zirk Lourens PRO for Comrades Marathon 2006 (No 6630)
Tel. (012) 674-6502 Fax: (012) 674 6561