Friday morning I joined the Comrades bus tour for international novice runners. We drove over the route, and our bus (there were 3), had a 20 time veteran giving commentary describing the route in detail.
It was good to see the hills (the big 5), although as our guide said, it is not the big hills that kill you, it’s all the smaller ones, as when you drive you route you get to see there is very rarely any flat, you are always travelling either up or down. And for the first 50km, predominantly up!

We stopped at the Comrades wall of honour – where anyone can buy a spot to put their name up on, Arthurs seat, and the Emthabeni school for disabled children. Then once we arrived in Pietermaritzburg, we travelled to Alexandra park to the finish arena and then finally to the Comrades house museum.

The most amazing thing at the Comrades museum was a scale model of the route, which showed the topography and all the hills. I want one!

At least I had an ex-pat South African lady sitting next to me as the rest of the bus was full of annoying international people. They were so rude and pushy. It sucked to hear everyone talking about running, when I won't be. Although many of them look like they’ll struggle.

I met up with Rheanna and parents in Pietermaritzburg, but unfortunately it was lot later than we expected so we just travelled back to Durban.

Photos
1. Comrades Wall of Honour
2. Wall of Honour
3. Valley of a thousand hills
4. Finish line
5. Marathon winners
6. Bruce Fordyce - 9 time winner of comrades
7. Andrew Kalehe's shoe