George Kusche (centre) defied nature’s call to achieve a record-breaking Comrades Marathon victory, earning R2.3 million and setting a new up run record of 5:15:56, despite the mid-race mishap. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
It’s a well-known fact that running stimulates bowel movements and, when you need to go, you need to go.
George Kusche, however, chose to ignore that message from his body on his way to a record-breaking victory at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.
Kusche smashed the up run record with a time of 5:15:56, completing what was a breakthrough triumph for the former track athlete.
However, in the closing stages of the race it became apparent that he had soiled himself, with brown liquid clearly visible on his legs.
Is that cause for embarrassment?
Absolutely not.
In fact, if I had the opportunity to win Comrades and pocket the kind of payday Kusche did, I’d probably make exactly the same decision.
Having set a new up run record, Kusche crossed the finish line 3 minutes and 39 seconds ahead of defending champion Piet Wiersma. While that sounds comfortable, it would have left very little room for an unscheduled toilet stop once he realised nature wasn’t prepared to wait.
And it’s not just the time spent in a port-a-loo that matters.
Any runner will tell you that once you stop, especially after more than five hours of racing, getting going again can be incredibly difficult. A toilet break could easily have disrupted his rhythm and cost him his shot at glory.
That’s why most runners — and certainly anyone who appreciates what was at stake — will understand why Kusche chose to keep moving.
And let’s not forget exactly what was on the line.
For winning the race, Kusche earned R925,000. He pocketed another R242,000 as the first South African home and a whopping R605,000 for breaking the up run record.
On top of that, he received a further R550,000 bonus for setting the fastest average pace record.
That brings his total earnings for the day to an astonishing R2.3 million.
Meanwhile, Wiersma banked R464,000 for finishing second.
That’s a difference of roughly R1.8 million.
For me, that’s more than enough money to justify a little mid-race dignity sacrifice.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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