On June 14, more than 20,000 people gathered in Durban, South Africa. They wanted to run the Comrades Marathon. This is the oldest and largest ultramarathon in the world. The race goes between two cities: Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Runners must finish the race in less than 12 hours.
The race started in 1921. In the first race, only 34 white men ran. The course was about 88 kilometers long. Over many years, the race changed. In 1975, women could finally join the race. Before that, Frances Hayward was the first woman to finish in 1923. In 1989, Sam Tshabalala became the first black man to win the race.
Today, the marathon is very different. It is a symbol of unity for South Africa. In the past, the country had many racial problems. Now, people of all races and genders run together. This helps to bring people together. During the race, people often sing the national anthem and a famous song called Shosholoza.
Running is also good for mental health. Many runners use exercise to feel better and stay strong. The race is very difficult because it is very long. Every year, the direction of the race changes. Sometimes it is downhill, and sometimes it is uphill. It is a great test of strength for every runner.