Yesterday Dev and I travelled down to the cricket oval in Pietermaritzburg with just enough time to watch Claude Moshiywa win Comrades 2013. What an incredibly emotional and extreme goosebump making occasion. I’ve been wanting to watch Comrades since I moved back to KZN and luckily had the spectator expertise of my fiancé whose Dad, Arthur, has attempted and completed 12 Comrades Marathon’s (!!!) to get us there with ease. I would have gotten totally lost.
The support at the finish line was incredible, people from all walks of life were there to cheer everyone in, and the moment I entered the oval and saw the race leader on the big screen running through the streets of PMB I just got goosebumps galore. I am not sure if it’s the same for everyone or if I am just a complete emotional fruit loop but I turn into a bit of a tearful tool at so many events. Kids pantomine’s, sports day’s, awards ceremonies, marathon’s – you name it I get teary. The worst is I don’t even have to know anyone participating and I still get all choked up. What a nerd! Can you even begin to imagine what I will be like when I have kids and attend these kind of events, being that Mum who is so proud and unable to control emotions that she turns into a snivelling wreck of a mess…my poor future children.
Anyway the point is the moment Claude Moshiywa entered the oval it erupted into applause, screams and encouragement. And if that was not enough to get you totally goosebumped out then the Chariots of Fire soundtrack booming out across the ground surely would have sorted that out. We were lucky enough to have a great spot in full view of the finish line and watched Claude cross the finish as the winner of the Comrades Marathon 2013. Unreal. I had never heard of the guy, had no idea of his background or anything but for those few moments I could not have been more proud this complete stranger. What an achievement, and to top it off being the first South African to win the Comrades up-run since 1992. Claude – you made me proud to be South African.
The effect watching Claude Moshiywa winning Comrades 2013 had on me
The achievements of every single person who started the Comrades Marathon yesterday, regardless of whether you finished or not, your determination, drive, dreams and bravery is outstanding. I literally almost tear up just thinking about it. I’m one super proud spectator!
One super proud spectator!
Anyone else out there as emotional as I am at events where we know no one participating?? No? Just me then? Really? great…
Surely I am not alone 