The Race

 

What a weekend it has been... It’s early dawn on saturday. The sun's rising later and later with winter approaching.

 

It started with Parkrun, where I volunteer as a Marshall.

 

 

We begin preparations for the race ahead.. mark the start.. observe the herd; another will be running soon..

 

   

 

Sunlight trickles through the trees illuminating a trail of gold..

 

        

 

 

There’s something special about the morning, the crisp air, the fresh start of the weekend. Folks down to run the amazing race... Comrades.

 

After, time to chill at Winkel Beach, watching the hopeful fisherfolks casting off the beach, off the rocks, boats ready for a haul... excitement, expectation everywhere. It’s in the air. Such amazing weather, it’s a sense of peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

 

 

Sunday morning dawns, excitement grows, it’s going to be an amazing day.

 

 

Sure enough, the colours of sky turn to flames of red, orange against incredible blues.. Fire in the sky..

 

 

Suddenly I think of the Comrades Theme Song, “Chariots of Fire” from the movie “On Wings of Eagles”, the story of Eric Liddel. A life testament of endurance and winning the race. I can’t decide if Vangelis or the cellos on the beach is more apt. I love the sea. Running on a deserted beach.. I participated many years ago and have been on the sidelines, cheering the champions on. Every one from first to last is a champ in this race.. But I know today I must get to the finish, to be there when the winners come in.

 

So I honour the memory of Eric and join the saints in glorious worship, sneak off to the beautiful city, drive down an almost deserted boulevard on the seashore, park my car and make my way to people’s park with time enough to spare before the buzz grows to a frenzy as Tete Dijana comes onto the final runway. The finish is wonderfully set against the backdrop of Moses Madiba stadium appearing as sails of a great ship, ready to depart..

 

      

 

Then he appears. Confident. Determined. Victory in reach. After 89.7km he is giving it all. Exhausted. Elated. I roar and the crowd roars with me. Champion. We salute you and every runner behind you!

 

  

 

Gerda leads the ladies in. What a champ. So proud of our athletes. I stay till the last gold medallist crosses the line. I should stay to the last as I have no doubt the Great King of all the earth will do, ready to welcome the last home. But my voice is rasping and others will. I make my way to the boulevard and admire the serene scene with 21800 athletes still in the field. I know for so many this is going to be a day of great celebration. A beautiful day. One to savour forever.