From Tracksmith Blog: The Will to Endure: Women, Ultras, and South Africa’s 90km Comrades Marathon

In early 2015, I stood in legendary ultra runner Ann Trason’s guest room, filled with memorabilia from her storied career, and I fixed on a photo of her with Nelson Mandela. It was from one of her two victories at Comrades, the world’s oldest and largest ultra-distance race. I wondered what it was like to meet such an inspirational leader at an event that has become a symbol of unity for South Africans.

Ann, who has won the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run 14 times and is considered by many to be the best ultra runner in the history of the sport, prefers to make statements through her running. She told me she hadn’t known what to say to Mandela, but she was clear on one thing: “Comrades is magical. Run it if you can.” …

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