2008 Comrades Marathon results

Leonid Shvetsov raced into the Comrades Marathon record books this morning after a second successive victory in the world’s most important ultramarathon road race. The tall Russian smashed Vladimir Kotov’s eight-year-old ”up” run record by 47 seconds, coming home in 5:24:46 and beating second-placed Jaroslav Janicki by an incredible 13:41, one of the largest victory margins in recent Comrades history. This means that Shvetsov becomes the first man since Bruce Fordyce to win in both directions and to own both records.

Top 10 Men

After the race, Shvetsov said that his race plan had gone perfectly, but that the record had never been certain. ”Last year I knew from a long way out that the record was in the bag, but this time it was touch and go.” He takes home R220 000 for the win and R250 000 for the new record.

Janicki continued with his fine Comrades record after his second place finish. The quiet Pole now has 5 gold medals in his cupboard, including a single win, back in 1999.

Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhuingi was third, with the prize for the first South African going to Harmans Mokgadi of Nedbank, winner of the Forever Resorts Loskop Marathon earlier this year. Mokgadi was 6th. Two sentimental favourites scored gold medals as well. 50-year-old Vladimir Kotov, who saw his course record evaporate while he was still out on the road, received some consolation with his 8th place, while Willie Mtolo, who finished 2nd way back in 1989, grabbed the final gold medal, much to the delight of the local Comrades fans.

Top 10 Women

The Russian juggernaul continued in the women’s race. Once again the Nurgalieva twins dominated, with Elena collecting her third straight ”up” run victory. But this time it was not a record, with the finishing time of 6:14:36 being some 5 minutes outside the mark she herself set up two years ago. Twin sister Olesya came home 1:15 behind, while Tatyana Zhirkova grabbed 3rd spot in 6:17:44.

Marina Myshlyanova (6:30:48) and Marina Bychkova (6:38:00) compled the Russian domination of the women’s competition. This was Bychkova’s 8th gold medal in the race.

Top South African home was Pretoria’s Riana van Niekerk (6:43:30), who ended Farwa Mentoor’s long domination of this category. Mentoor was 8th in 6:59:39, while the ageless Maria Bak once again collected gold in 6:53:31 (7th).

11,192: total number of entries; 8,613: total number of finishers

The Paul Selby Fit 2000 12/24 hour Circuit Race challenge

Fit 2000 Athletic Club Central Gauteng, Bedfordview will be staging a unique 50km Comrades qualifying race. The inaugural event in 2004 was so popular that Champion Chip timing has this year been introduced and has opened the door to what must surely be the most unique Comrades qualifier or opportunity to test performance and supplements in a secure environment with ample seconding and camaraderie from other athletes.

Runners may start the race at any time from 19h00 on Friday the 25th of February until 12h00 on Saturday the 26th of February and will then have exactly six hours to complete the 50km`s to qualify for Comrades. In fact, this also represents the last date in Gauteng when athletes may qualify for the Two Oceans marathon by completing 50kms in 6 hours and 30 minutes.

The race is run on a flat 2km tar, paved and grass circuit through St. Benedicts College with seconding tables every kilometre and the opportunity for personal seconds to aid and assist their fellow runners throughout the day or night. The opportunity to run in the evening provides athletes with guaranteed cool conditions plus the camaraderie of having numerous other athletes on the track at all times to provide encouragement and support. With a copy of the final event results, all competitors will receive a schedule of their own 2km splits throughout the race to assist in providing invaluable information on performance.

The Comrades Marathon Association has given their approval of this race. Race Director, Robin Jelley, predicts that the concept will become extremely popular in years to come when athletes use this exciting opportunity to qualify for the world”s greatest ultra marathon in such style!

The race is staged by Fit 2000 Athletic club in recognition of Paul Selby”s achievements and contribution to road running in South Africa and abroad. Paul completed a double Comrades marathon in 1999 to raise two hundred thousand rands for cancer. In 2003 he ran 1000 miles in 1000 hours in London also for charity. (The equivalent of a marathon every day for no less than 6 weeks!)

Paul invites athletes to run with him during the 24 hour period. Entries for the 12 our day and separate 12 hour night events plus 24 hour race will be taken up until Monday the 14th of February. The closing date for entries of the 50km event will be kept open until the maximum race entry has been received so you are encouraged to enter early to avoid disappointment.

• Date: Friday 25th & Saturday 26th February 2005
• Venue: St Benedicts College – Bedfordview
• Distances: 50km Flexi Challenge and 12/24Hr Race
• Start Time: See Entry Form for all details
• Timed By: ChampionChip

Results with ongoing Lap count and Lap times will be available during the event and final results will be available on the ChampionChip Internet site www.championchip.co.za

We look forward to welcoming you to our race for an enjoyable day with the family and friends.

An Unofficial Comrades Training Program

Training tips: How to ensure a great Comrades
My opinion on the cut-off extension at Comrades Marathon 2004

A Unofficial TRAINING PROGRAM
DATE 16 June 2004
TIME 05:30
DISTANCE 87.3 km’s
START – Durban
FINISH – Pietermaritzburg

There are many different ideas on training for a ultra marathon such as Comrades and there are always people who argue that they have the best training program. I submit, mine isn’t the best but then again, I don’t know who’s is or what the “best” is for that matter. This training program is based on my planning logbook for the 2000 Comrades Marathon. Use it as a guide as that was a training program is all about. If you miss a day, forget it – it’s gone. It cannot be made up.

The reason for placing this training program here is the fact that, to my knowledge, nobody has made their training program available on the net. This is a disgrace as the spirit of Comrades is to help each-other through one of the toughest ultra’s. On the forum when a runner in the USA asked for training tips, the reference was not to a South African site, but one in the States based on running an ultra. I hope that this changes in the future and all recognised coaches have their programs available for all – for free.

The program is for a 10:00 – 12:00 hour cut-off.

Again, I stress, this is a guideline. Go to time trials at the club and chat to experienced Comrades runners but leave the silver medallists alone for now, subscribe to Runners World, attend the panel talks. The program worked will for me and guided me to an “easy” Comrades and what a party throughout and after. The Paulshof Plodders have a saying, “if someone says they enjoyed Comrades, they lie about everything else as well”. There is one thing for sure, it’s a life changing experience and you will cry when you finish your first.

Comrades marathon 2004 Up-Run Pacing Chart

Comrades Marathon cut-off extended to 12 hours

COMRADES MARATHON 2003

The Comrades Marathon Association have decided to extend the cut-off for the 2003 and future Comrades Marathon to 12 hours. In Speaking to many runners, the decision has received both positive and negative responses.

The majority of runners who have completed previous Comrades under the 11 hour rule are negative towards the change. They are of the opinion that it takes away the spirit and knowledge that Comrades is one of the toughest races in the World.

The majority of runners who had not yet run a Comrades or who have failed to finish under the 11 hour rule are positive in that they now have the opportunity to complete and finish the race.

The organisor’s reason for the extension is pure economic. Comrades has had a ”negative growth” factor over the past few years. This with the exception of the 24,500 starters in the 75th anniversary / Millennium run. They need to have growth to get continued support from the sponsors. With many sponsors directing their funding towards cycling, the organisors cannot afford to have sponsors leaving Comrades. This will truly be the end of the Marathon.

My personal comments are easy – GREAT. Whatever we can do to encourage more participants into running, the better. But beware, if you couldn’t finish Comrades in the 11 hours, the chances of finishing in 12 are not much greater. At the end of Comrades, the average runner will be running / walking at around 10min per kilometer. This equates to giving the runner a grace of 6 km’s. Over a Marathon of 89km’s, 6 km’s is not material to a good Comrades.

Runners must be warned that the training to finish under 11 hours will not change should you wish to finish under 12 hours. The qualifying time for Comrades has been extended to a 5 hour standard marathon.

IF YOU CAN’T FINISH A STANDARD MARATHON IN UNDER 4hr30min – DO NOT ATTEMPT COMRADES.

This is my opinion based on my experience and the experience of other runners.

Do your training, finish a standard marathon under 4hr30min (still strong), listen to the experts at panel talks, follow Don Oliver’s column in Runners World.

After 60 km’s at Comrades, it’s your mind that takes you to the end, not your body. I further suggest reading The Lore of Running by Prof. Tim Noakes.

Anybody can run Comrades & anybody can fail at Comrades – it’s up to the individual.