Running Comrade Marathon as a Married Couple

Our journey started with some scepticism and uncertainty hanging over our heads.

Wife: I was divided between having to support my husband on his first Comrades Marathon and being his motivation to run the race to the finish line.

Husband: I was unsure if my wife was fit and ready enough for the gruelling challenge of running the Comrades Marathon, without undermining her capabilities. With caution not to give her pressure, while wanting her to be thoroughly prepared, I backed her unrelentingly.

We both qualified, we both felt prepared and ready. It was the first time for both of us. Everyone around us was providing advice and we had to carefully sift and analyse every opinion.

Wife: I was excited and ready to run the 87KM, no nerves, no anxiety. I just could not wait to go through the experience and have the feel of the greatly discussed “Ultimate Human Race”.

Husband: I was both content yet anxious for the both of us. I did not want to fail and did not want my wife not to reach the finish.

On the day of the Comrades Marathon we both went to the starting point suppressing the urge to check-in with each other’s feelings, really straining not to freak each other out. We avoided asking each other how we were feeling.

Wife: I left my husband at the F seeding pen and continued to the G seeding pen. I was fine but got so emotional that I made it to the starting line of this internationally recognised Marathon, the ultimate human race. My Biography will register this one day. I bowed and prayed. The race started and I just wanted to run and see how far my legs would carry me.

I kept on thinking that my husband should be far ahead, that he had been chasing time and kilometres ahead of me. All I wanted then was to make our children proud of mommy and daddy finishing the race. I am grateful I did not go wrong on that fact. I was so fascinated by the smile on my husband’s face when he realised I had finished the race; his smile was truly the best reward.

Husband: my mind was wondering if my body would not fail me. I was wondering if my wife will finish fine. Is it safe for her to attempt this alone – in my absence and without my immediate support? But I convinced myself she was more than able, I trusted her willpower. The race started and it felt like any other race day. Along the way I thought I should call my wife to tell her that she should make sure she finishes the race in case I get cut-off. I was then just thinking about our kids and their excitement about mommy and daddy finishing the race. That gave me the strength to carry-on to the finishing line. I was so proud to see my wife after she conquered. I could not be more excited to be at the finish line with her.

This was undeniably one of the best ways to celebrate our wedding anniversary – the victory of finishing strong was really an analogy of our journey, making it an exceptional way to celebrate the beautiful marathon of our marriage.

With love and light,

Mr and Mrs Machabaphala