Saturday, August 22, 2026
NewsWhite
Sweat, tears and camaraderie as 20,000 runners take on world’s largest ultramarathon
WORLD
Unverified

Sweat, tears and camaraderie as 20,000 runners take on world’s largest ultramarathon

By Rachel Savage in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Photographs by James OatwayJune 21, 2026·Source: The Guardian·2 views

For one day every June, South Africa’s searing racial inequality seems to melt away at Comrades raceIn the early morning dark, thousands of runners waited, jostling with anticipation. South Africa’s national anthem rang out.

Then the haunting swell of Shosholoza, first sung by Zimbabwean migrant workers in South Africa’s goldmines. Finally, that unmistakable, spine-tingling piano: Chariots of Fire.Runners gather before the start of the marathon Continue reading...

Originally reported by The Guardian. Read the original article

Related Articles