Not only is the Comrades ultramarathon over 50 miles in distance but it takes in five massive hills which include Cowies Hill, Field’s Hill, Botha’s Hill, Inchanga and Polly Shortts and the number of other challenging gradients. Originally competitors in this ultramarathon had 11 hours to complete the event although this was extended to 12 hours in 2003. There are a range of medals available to those finishing the race and to anyone crazy enough to completed nine marathons they are allocated a yellow number and those who have completed 10 races wear a green number – both of which are permanently allocated to the runners in question.

The event is really a commemoration of South African soldiers who were killed in World War I and was the brainchild of Vic Clapham who wanted an exceptional test of physical endurance and mental strength. The current holder of the Comrades Marathon championship is Stephen Muzhingi of Zimbabwe who completed the event in five hours and 24 minutes, just a fraction under the five hours 20 minutes and 49 seconds achieved by Leonid Shvetsov in 2007 – the fastest time ever recorded.