One Comrades Marathon runner has amused readers with her honest breakdown of what got her through the race.
Image: Screenshot/Instagram
Savanna and South Africans go together like Comrades runners and questionable life decisions at kilometre 80.
The Comrades Marathon Up Run took place on Sunday, June 14, and as always, the race wasn’t just about endurance; it became a full-blown content festival for the internet.
While athletes tackled steep hills, rising heat and that familiar mid-race moment of questioning all life choices, the race delivered its usual mix of grit, humour and unforgettable moments from the road.
One runner, Bessie Gale, who goes by the name the " Red Lipstick Runner", perfectly captured the spirit of the day in a video that has been doing the rounds online.
Her post read like a love letter to chaos, sweat and South African humour all rolled into one.
“😮💨😅 a lot of things happen along the route of the Comrades marathon, ok? At some point, you’re in the middle of nowhere… and some water points that make you want to stop running and dance!
"Then there are these, where the supporters will cheer you while you stop for a Savanna break because WOW? What the hell am I actually doing? 🤣🔥”
Because if there is one thing Mzansi will do, it is turn a world-class athletic event into a group therapy session with hydration stations.
According to her, the real fuel wasn’t energy gels or discipline - it was supporters shouting, her seconding team holding it together, a healthy dose of delusion, and of course, a cold Savanna.
One has to respect the honesty. At some point between the hills and the “I can’t feel my legs anymore” stage, logic simply packs up and leaves.
What remains is vibes, survival instincts, and possibly cider.
The Comrades may be one of the toughest marathons in the world, but South Africans will always find a way to add humour, personality, and a bit of sparkle to the suffering.