From race records to running wisdom: Bruce Fordyce previews the 99th Comrades
From race records to running wisdom: Bruce Fordyce previews the 99th Comrades
From race records to running wisdom: Bruce Fordyce previews the 99th Comrades
Gary Oberholzer
From race records to running wisdom: Bruce Fordyce previews the 99th Comrades
Few people understand the magic of Comrades quite like Bruce Fordyce — and ahead of the 99th running of the iconic race, the nine-time champion joined HOT 1027 Breakfast to share a few laughs, some expert insight, and his predictions for Sunday.
With around 22,000 runners preparing to make their way from Durban to Pietermaritzburg for this year’s “up run”, Bruce told Parky and the team that the slightly shorter 85.7 kilometre route could make things very interesting.
The change is due to major roadworks and alterations around the Umlaas Road section of the course — removing one of the traditional sections runners would normally tackle.
Never one to miss an opportunity for a bit of humour, Bruce joked that runners were getting a little extra help this year.
“The up run is 87 or 88 kilometres. You can’t have an 85 kilometre run,” he laughed.
He even jokingly suggested runners should get “half a medal” this year, before adding that organisers may as well roll out a conveyor belt and serve competitors “tea and snacks” like a business-class flight.
All jokes aside, Bruce says the slightly shorter route could make Sunday’s race a fast one — and possibly open the door for new records.
Another major talking point this year is the strength of the women’s field, with more than 5,000 female athletes taking part.
Bruce says it’s incredible to see how far the race has come since the early days, when many wrongly believed women weren’t suited to ultra-distance running.
Today, he says, they’re proving exactly the opposite.
“Women are pulverizing the men,” Bruce laughed.
He explained that pacing and patience often make the difference over a race as long as Comrades, with many men pushing too hard too early.
“The men are ahead for the first half of the race, and then because of testosterone and ego they fall apart — and the women pulverize them in the second half.”
It’s a lesson Parky learned first-hand during his own Comrades journey.
He shared the story of running alongside his friend Warren before both of them hit the dreaded wall late in the race — only to watch their wives come running past.
“Hello guys,” Parky laughed, remembering the moment. “So proud of you… I’ll see you at the finish!”
Looking ahead to Sunday, Bruce believes South Africa’s Gerda Steyn will be incredibly difficult to beat in the women’s race.
“Gerda Steyn first, Gerda Steyn second, and Gerda Steyn third,” he said.
“She is head and shoulders, streets, miles ahead.”
The men’s race, however, is much harder to predict, with Bruce pointing to a strong field of South African and international athletes who could all be in contention.
And of course, as every Comrades fan knows, there is always room for a surprise.
“There’s the dark horse who none of us have mentioned, none of us know about except his teammates,” Bruce said.
As thousands of runners prepare to take on one of South Africa’s greatest sporting traditions, Bruce’s message is clear — whether it’s 85 kilometres or 90 kilometres, Comrades remains a test of heart, patience and determination.
Christa Eybers
