Boksie Express: Boksburg Athletic Club May 2026 Round-Up

COMRADES 2026

It’s the world’s oldest and largest ultra marathon

The first Comrades Marathon was held in 1921, founded by Vic Clapham to honour soldiers who fought in World War I.

It’s not actually a marathon

A marathon is 42.2 km, but Comrades is approximately 89 km (the exact distance varies slightly each year).

The route alternates every year

An “Up Run” goes from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and includes more climbing. A “Down Run” goes from Pietermaritzburg to Durban and is generally.

The Big Five Hills

Comrades runners tackle famous hills including Cowies Hill, Fields Hill, Botha’s Hill, Inchanga, and Polly Shorts (depending on the direction).

The Green Number is legendary

Runners who complete 10 Comrades Marathons earn a permanent race number known as a Green Number, a huge badge of honour among Comrades runners.

The cut-off is strict

Runners have 12 hours to finish. Missing the cut-off by even a second means no medal.

There are several medal categories

Gold medals are awarded to the top finishers.
Silver, Bill Rowan, Bronze, Vic Clapham, and Finisher medals recognize different finishing times.

Runners come from all over the world

Thousands of international athletes travel to South Africa each year to experience Comrades.

The average runner takes over 50,000 steps

Depending on stride length, most runners will take between 50,000 and 70,000 steps during the race.

A small town of volunteers appears overnight

Thousands of volunteers man refreshment stations, handing out water, cola, potatoes, bananas, sweets, and
encouragement.

The finish-line atmosphere is unforgettable

Many runners say crossing the Comrades finish line is more emotional than finishing any other race, with tears,
cheers, and celebrations lasting long after the race ends.

A few quirky Comrades stats

The slowest official finish is often celebrated almost as much as the winner.
Some runners have completed more than 40 Comrades Marathons.
The oldest finishers have been well into their 70s and 80s.
The race has been run in rain, heatwaves, strong winds, and even during years of major national challenges.

Fun trivia question:

What do Comrades runners fear most?
Not the distance, not the hills, but hearing the words: “Gun to gun, 12 hours!” when they’re still a few hundred
metres from the finish line.
Good luck to all the Boksies running Comrades – every long run is another step closer to that finish-line moment!

COLGATE 2026

What an amazing day at the Colgate Race! A huge thank you to every Boksie who stepped up to assist in making
the event run smoothly. Your teamwork, enthusiasm, and positive attitudes were on full display from start to finish.
The success of the race is a reflection of the strong club spirit that makes our Boksies family so special.

We appreciate every hour you gave and every task you took on to ensure a memorable experience for all
participants.

COMRADES NOVICES

To all our Boksies taking on their very first Comrades Marathon, we wish you an unforgettable and successful
journey from start to finish. Months of dedication, early mornings, and hard work have brought you to this incredible
milestone. Trust your training, embrace the atmosphere, and enjoy every step of this remarkable achievement.
Whether your goal is to finish, earn a medal, or simply experience the world’s greatest ultramarathon n, remember
that you have already accomplished something extraordinary by reaching the start line. Run strong, stay positive,
and know that your Boksburg Athletics Club family is cheering you on every kilometre of the way. Good luck,
Boksies – you’ve got this!