Comrades Marathon

While most people might be enjoying a nice leisurely Sunday, a co-worker of mine is, probably as I write/you read, in South Africa running this particular mega-marathon today. He's run and completed the race twice before, in 1999 and 2000. It's a fairly hilly run, and each year, they alternate between the "up" route and the "down" route. This year, it's the "up" route. While it might sound like the "down" route should be easier, you have to keep in mind that the runners then have to make sure they're controlling their downhill speeds constantly, and that's no easy task either. My co-worker said that the "down" route is very tough on the knees and legs and joints and that experienced runners of the course much prefer the "up" route. Here's a link to the 2008 route.

In 1999, when he ran the "down" route, it took him just under 8 hours. In 2000, when he ran the "up" route, it took him about 8 1/2 hours.

Me, I'll be making an unscheduled visit to the tire store, but I'm mostly just going to be a slug.


4pm update - The results have been posted, and he finished the race in about 9 hours and 20 minutes. I don't know what kinds of medals they give out or how that's determined, but the site indicates that he got 3 medals. Yay, RM!!!!!! Here's to rest, relaxation and fun for the next week before he has to come back to work.