Barry Holland after a record 48th consecutive Comrades Marathon finish in Durban last year. He will be back for this year's race on Sunday. Photo: Supplied
Barry Holland has completed the Comrades Marathon more times than anybody else, and he is not about to put up his 71-year-old feet.
The affable runner from Ballito will be aiming for a record-extending 49th consecutive Comrades finish on Sunday, when the 96th edition of the iconic ultra-marathon takes place between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
Holland says he has not only prepared well for the “endearing” challenge, but also has some family members beginning their own preparations to accompany him for his 50th Comrades finish next year.
“Comrades is a personal journey,” said the Dolphin Coast Striders member, who used to work in the print industry.
“When I first started running Comrades, there were far fewer runners than what you see today. You needed your own seconder in the old days, but now there are refreshments stations all along the route and the race has just grown in stature and professionalism.
“I think the introduction of new medals in more recent years has incentivised runners across the board and given them a greater challenge. That’s been the greatest innovation of Comrades, in my opinion. It makes you a better athlete, because it challenges you and there are better rewards and more self-satisfaction, as Comrades is a very personal journey.”
However, he admitted to the race having become tougher for him each year.
“I have had very few injuries down the years, fortunately, but last year was the first time I failed to run Comrades within 11 hours (clocking 11:44,39),” he said.
“It was my hardest race. I cramped badly and fell twice, cutting my elbows and knees. But I have since been to a very good biokineticist and she has helped me to improve my strength a lot.
“I feel very good at the moment and hope to just have a good, solid run on Sunday. Yes, it’s getting harder each year, but I have had a good running partner over the past six years in Warwick Taylor, who is from Pietermaritzburg and doing his 24th Comrades this year.
“My son Ross is running Comrades for the first time this year as part of his preparations to be with me for my 50th finish next year, hopefully. There are also other family members and friends who plan to run with me again next year.”
Holland, who has split his life between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, became the sole holder of the record for the most Comrades finishes last year after another inspiring veteran, Louis Massyn, could not add to his 47 consecutive runs.
He will be among just under 18000 brave runners when the latest Comrades challenge starts at 5.30am in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, and finishes 12 hours later at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban, following a shift from Moses Mabhida Stadium which hosted the race’s climax in recent years.
Said Holland: “Moses Mabhida is a nice imposing sight when you are finishing the race, but Kingsmead has a warmer feeling. Sadly, Moses Mabhida was devoid of atmosphere for Comrades. “I think most runners will be happy to go back to Kingsmead, and the race is 2,2 km shorter now!” — The Witness