I just finished reading an article about the Comrades Marathon – really an ultrarun.

The Comrades Marathon in South Africa is one of the most insane races I have ever heard about and of course would love to run it one year. It is a 55 mile race, yes 55, that alternates each year, alternating between the up run (about 87 km) starting from Durban and the down run (about 89km) starting from Pietermaritzburg.

The killer part of this course is not the distance but the hills. Each climb makes Heartbreak Hill in Boston look like a speedbump.

This race is so popular in South Africa that it is broadcast live all day throughout the country, all 12 hours of the race.

The 12 hours is the time limit to finish the race. if you do not finish in under 12 hours you do not receive your medal, just a high five or handshake or whatever is popular in South Africa these days.

Well after reading about this I decided to do a little elevation run myself, NYC style. A nice 7 mile run going into Brooklyn over the Williamsburg Bridge and then coming back into Manhattan over the Manhattan Bridge. It is not the same as Comrades, but we all have to start somewhere.

One NYC running tip – Avoid the Brooklyn Bridge at all costs if you are running, it is only good for a slow stroll.

Map of Bridges Run – 04-28-07