People may think I’m crazy, crazy for calling this race fun and enjoyable, maybe they’ll call me crazy because I ran 20, writes Selvan Mudali.
It's Comrades time again, something that used to be a major part of my life. The training and festivities were part of the many memories made; a time that brought joy, happiness and laughter. People may think I’m crazy, crazy for calling this race fun and enjoyable, maybe they’ll call me crazy because I ran 20.
I first took note of this amazing race while watching television. Being a sportsman, it appealed to me on various levels. I thought to myself, I’m young and I want to challenge myself, this looks like something I can do. As soon as I turned 18, I joined the Bluff athletic club which helped my Comrades’ journey begin.
In 1982, my first Comrades, my nerves were on edge. I didn’t even sleep the night before I was so scared that I was going to be late. Butterflies flapped in my tummy as I made my way to Pietermaritzburg. City Hall was a hub of activity and it was amazing to see so many others like myself. Standing at the start of the race I waited anxiously for the gun to go off. When it went off, I wanted to start running, but I couldn’t because everyone around me was walking, it was only after about 1km that I could actually start running.
When I reached the halfway mark, the organisers announced that the lead runners were almost finished. This gave me a shove to run a little faster, however I failed to realise that this would be to my detriment. My running turned into walking and I started to think, am I ever going to finish this race? I felt exhausted and in pain, however I continued walking. The spectators and some attractive women runners encouraged me to start running again. When I saw Kingsmead Stadium a renewed strength came over me. I knew the end was near. People cheered me on and I finished my race in nine hours and 42 minutes.
The inspiration for my second race was, believe it or not, the infamous Polly Shorts. People always talked about Polly Shorts but no one ever spoke about all the other hills leading up to Polly Shorts. As I began the run up Fields Hill I knew already this was going to be a gruelling race. At the halfway mark I realised that this was a race of mind over matter. I started a plan of attack, where I would run, where I would ease myself by walking. This methodology helped me conquer the “little” hills. I was surprised again when I reached Polly Shorts as the hill made me doubt myself. I kept thinking, why am I doing this, when is this annoying hill coming to an end, am I going to finish in time? The camaraderie between the runners helped me to complete this leg of my race, I conquered in nine hours, 44 minutes.
The Comrades bug got a hold of me and my goal was set, nothing less than 10 consecutive years. The year I received my 10th Comrades’ medal and my green number was awe inspiring. It inspired me to further my goal and complete 20.
There were many exciting moments during my races, I always tried to get in front of a TV camera so I could be seen by my family back home. I remember calling from phone booths just to let them know that I was ok. The energy and warmth from the spectators always encouraged me. People offered water, juices and food, although I never ate the food as I was too scared to do so.
My journey was made easier because of my good friend and mentor, Percy Naidoo. He challenged me to improve my times of finishing and always to keep going. Sadly he passed away before I could complete my 20th Comrades. My running partner was no more. Not having him there made it difficult to run. I completed my goal of 20 consecutive Comrades and found other interests thereafter.
My most prized possessions are my double green numbers 7534 and my 20 bronze medals. I always say that I will get back to the Comrades and maybe someday I will.
* Mudali is an IT support technician at Independent Media, Cape Town.