The Finish.
OK - I've sent you loads of details about the start and the route. Now
for the finish.
Map of the finish area layout:
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| click to enlarge |
Parking for family, friends and supporters is tricky. The best option is
probably near the expo centre, or in the parking area between Old Fort
Road and Ordnance Road, which is not too far from the finish (although a
bloody long walk after having done 90km...)
Some advice for your supporters: Don't park on sidewalks and pavements
or in any area not clearly marked for parking. Comrades is a great day
for the cops to start working towards their Christmas bonus, and they
wildly dish out parking fines around the stadium area.
OK, stuff the supporters now. This is about you - the runner...
You will approach the stadium along Walnut Road before turning right
into KE Masinga / Old Fort Road, and then immediately left into the
stadium grounds. You will be able to hear the cheering and noise of the
stadium as you approach down Walnut Road (through the celebrated 'last
mile'), and somewhere along Old Fort Road, you will find a pile of
strength that you wish you had 10km earlier.
Note the little yellow dots on the map - these are TV cameras. Smile!
Knees up! Chest out!
Runners will enter the stadium near Castle Corner, between the South
Stand and the West Stand.
As fatigued as you might be, you do not finish the race on entering the
stadium. You still have to do a victory lap, so force that smile for a
while...
Once in the stadium, you will do a loop around the perimeter of the
field. This takes you close to the suites in the South Stand, and past
the club tent sites in the East Stand. The centre of the field is also
filled with supporters, cheering you on. Smile some more (no, not
grimace - SMILE!!!). You will feel as if the whole stadium is cheering
you on, despite there being a few other people also running the race!
Don't mistake the pedestrian bridges for the finish line! Keep running
until someone tells you to stop. As much as some of these bridges look
like the finish arch, trust me when I say that you will recognise the
real finish when you see it.
The last left turn on the grass reveals what you came for. A large
yellow finish arch. Identifiable as the finish line by the timing clock
overhead.
Shed a tear if you must.
Try get into some clean air as you approach the finish. Get away from
the throngs of people but stay close to your running buddy that dragged
you through the last few km's. This will ensure you get a great finish
line photo!
On crossing the line, you will want to stop and sit / lie down. But some
kind hearted marshals will make sure you don't and usher you onward
towards your medal. The paparazzi will be there to take your photo with
medal in hand - as hard as it may be, try not to photo bomb other
peoples pics...
Make sure you detour to the left before exiting the finish area. They
serve Energade, water, soup and bread. I find a cup of hot soup and a
slice or two of bread really make me feel better after the long haul. It
is easy on the stomach, and the nourishment fills a gap. You might find
a few bodies scattered around the ground here, looking a bit like a war
zone. Gingerly step over, because treading on someone's toes here will
arise the zombie in them, and you won't be able to fight back.
Once you leave this area through the chutes, you will not be able to
come back in. So be sure to grab some soup and bread. Oh, and if it is
your second race, make sure you find the table dishing out back-to-back
medals too.
Plan beforehand where you will be meeting your family and friends. Make
sure they know where to meet you too. A great day's running can be
ruined among a sea of people and lost souls. There are literally
thousands of people in the stadium, and your tired mind won't easily
identify familiar faces, so make certain this part of the plan is in
place. And stick to it.
If your club has a tent site / hospitality suite, it is a great place to
head to and share war stories and glory.
Comrades is probably the only race in the world where there are more
supporters at the finish area to cheer in the last runner than what
there are cheering in the first. So know that everyone is really
supporting you, and not the sub 6:00 runners.
The 11h00 and 12h00 cut off guns are emotional. If you can handle it,
stay until the end. The large 11h00 and 12h00 buses come in perfectly
timed with just a few safe minutes to spare. The cheering gets louder,
the emotions run high. The hype is incredible! But after the gun, eerie
silence falls across the stadium. Now you can go home.
Be prepared to sit for a while in the traffic leaving the city centre.
Roads are still blocked, runners are still coming in despite the fact
they will not receive a medal. Show some respect to these poor fellas
out there. And some patience towards the throngs of people trying to
leave Durban.
Make sure you hydrate well before going to bed. Drink loads of water and
maybe even some electrolyte replacements. Try eat a good meal too. Your
stomach will need it, but probably not want it and your raw throat will
protest to anything going past it.
And sleep with 2 bottles next to your bed. The full one should be empty
in the morning, and the empty one full. You probably won't be able to
get up... (Don't mix them up in your sleepy state!)
If you can't walk properly on Monday, remember that it is not a limp,
but rather a swagger. It is your bragging rights. Despite not being able
to move around elegantly, make sure you get out and about on Monday. A
little movement helps flush out the muscles, and getting out helps you
show off too. (Other swaggering folk will smile at you, but won't even
ask your time)
And don't worry about letting people know how you did. If they knew you
were running, they will contact you. For today, YOU are the HERO!
Have a great race! And a great finish too!
Cheers,
Andrew.
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