Comrades Marathon 2024: Reflections on my first Comrades Up run

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How does it feel to complete your first every Comrades Marathon Up run? Here's some instant reflections just two days after another incredible journey across the Kwa-Zulu Natal from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, bagging a second Bill Rowan and a Back-to-Back medal. Plus, if I had to choose to run an Up or a Down to save my own life, which one would I go for? Hit play to find out.
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - Reflections on the race
4:00 - Up or Down? Which Comrades is easier?
8:47 - What's so special about the Comrades
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Пікірлер: 134

  • @OdealTheGreat
    @OdealTheGreat11 күн бұрын

    Well done. Back to back medal 🏅. Only 8 left for that Green Number 🙌🏾💯🏃🏾‍♂️.

  • @aslam7952

    @aslam7952

    10 күн бұрын

    😁😁 Just 8!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    😂😂😂 Just 8 little runs...

  • @RichieB-zt8tg
    @RichieB-zt8tg12 күн бұрын

    Best race in the world! Was great to meet you 😎

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    It's right up there for sure. Fab to meet you too and hope the recovery goes well.

  • @bev9708
    @bev970813 күн бұрын

    BRAVO BRAVO KIERAN!!!! Not so long ago it was just a dream for "one day", and now you've achieved the full Comrades experience, 2 Bill Rowans AND your back-to-back medal!!! You must be sooooo proud!!!! BRAVO , sincerest 💪🏃‍♂CONGRATULATIONS!!!🏅🏅🏅🏃‍♂💪

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks Bev. It was a wonderful experience out there. Can't recommend this race highly enough.

  • @bev9708

    @bev9708

    13 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles You definitely make me wanna give it a go … one day!!!😁

  • @sammysenwamadi9493
    @sammysenwamadi949313 күн бұрын

    Congrats! You came, you conquered and there a T-shirt plus vidoe to show. The Up Run is a monster. I walked for 10kms straight, from 51kms to 62kms. Stomach cramps. Almost quit. Finished in 11:42:40. My target was 10h30 or less.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    It's a beast of race and in my book if you get round it you're a hero regardless of time or goals. It asks so many questions of us all. I wanted to quit on multiple occasions. Congrats on getting it done.

  • @liranleibo2211
    @liranleibo221112 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran!! Was nice to meet you on the route. This was my first Comrades and I plan to come back next year. Glad you managed to get your Back-2-Back Bill Rowan.. that's awesome.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Thanks and same to you. Was lovely to meet you! Maybe see you on the big hill again next year!

  • @jamescrook4389
    @jamescrook438910 күн бұрын

    This is the first video I have seen you in, in your own right. Whilst I quite like the “run testers” channel, this format really allows you to shine.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    Thanks James, I appreciate the kind words.

  • @shanh1708
    @shanh170813 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran! I think more than anything it sums up the South African spirit...friendly, adventurous and full of grit and resilience.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    It really does. There’s a resilience and a joy, a real open arms friendliness. Was wonderful stuff.

  • @farayimabvuta626
    @farayimabvuta62611 күн бұрын

    Well done mate! Ran my first one this year and I share all your sentiments about the race. It was a magical experience.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    11 күн бұрын

    Thanks. And congrats on your first Comrades. Next stop back to back 💪👍

  • @MikeSmuts
    @MikeSmuts11 күн бұрын

    Well done and thanks for coming back! Only eight to go to your green number ;-). I also did my second this year. I managed to catch bronchitis on the Monday leading up to the race, went on to antibiotics and other meds. Rested as much as I could and still wasn't sure on Saturday whether I'd be able to participate. I started Sunday morning and monitored my HR and symptoms in the first two hours and decided it was safe to continue. My heart and lungs were fine, but my body was clearly vulnerable as I already felt my quads on Fields Hill... (a little early for that). So I ran an extremely conservative race and ended up being one of the people you were watching coming at the end (11:45). Being a runner more in your range of ability being out on the road that long was an eye-opener. It was really tough! I agree that anyone who starts this challenge and especially those who manage to pull through, regardless of time, has achieved something special. If I'm at my normal ability I might run into you on the road next year, because you'll be back... One of the people I ran into on during the race was Blanche Moila, a very special lady who was a pioneer as an early black female participant during Apartheid. Again, there is so much history, personalities, traditions, etc. I so love the singing before the start and during the race. The Comraderie, the support, the challenge... Again, I and other South Africans here love for internationals to come out and join us in this challenge. No.3 for us then next year!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    11 күн бұрын

    That’s incredible Mike. Well done for getting o out there and getting it done under those circumstances. That’s hard as nails. I tried to cheer and bang the boards as much as I could for every runner in that last half hour. I knew they’d been I battles and deserved it.

  • @user-qc6mo7tr7c
    @user-qc6mo7tr7c9 күн бұрын

    Walked passed you at the end, but wasn't sure, so didn't say anything! I am one of those you mention at the start of this video. My grandfather signed of his number(161) to me before he passed and I have now completed 3 runs, with the aim to make this number green again to hopefully one day pass on to one of my kids.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    8 күн бұрын

    Should’ve come said hello. And amazing that you’re going to turn that number green again. Love this.

  • @timbrown3035
    @timbrown303513 күн бұрын

    Great video Kieran and a privilege to share this Comrades experience with you (plus the shorts were spot on!).

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Thanks Tim. Was an absolute pleasure to meet you and share the experience. Congrats again on your race and so glad the shorts did the job. Mine have seen some miles now. But never let me down. Hope to see you on the road somewhere.

  • @cliffordbrown7125
    @cliffordbrown71259 күн бұрын

    Amazing to meet you and well done on an amazing run. Hope to see you back in 2027 for Comrades.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    8 күн бұрын

    Really great to meet you. I hope to be back at some point.

  • @jonathanwatkins447
    @jonathanwatkins44713 күн бұрын

    Congratulations on your back to back and 2nd Bill Rowan. Great you came back. This was my 3rd but first UP. The UP 2nd half was so tough as I went out to fast. First 5 or 10K was fine but I definitely didn't walk enough for the first 40ish Ks. I didn't plan on a silver but at 45k I was at silver pace and then I feel apart😂. Some how I still got a 7:59:03. Before Pollys I said I didn't have a chance for a sub 8 but then I realized if I did a 8:01 I would be really pissed 😂😂. Like you said there is nothing like it. The people alone will bring me back again. Thanks for the video and I really enjoy watching how much you love this race. Well done again

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Yo run sub-8 is incredible running on that course. Congrats mate. Are you going for Green?

  • @jonathanwatkins447

    @jonathanwatkins447

    13 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles I'm 53 and I've done 3 in a row. Green is far far away🤣

  • @lenolsthabo684
    @lenolsthabo68412 күн бұрын

    It was nice meeting you, Kieran, and sharing the comrades' experience...definitely coming back next year for my fifth medal

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Great to meet you. You'll be half way to Green!

  • @waydeedwards
    @waydeedwards9 күн бұрын

    I did the same back to back set as you. Vic Clapham & Robert Mitshali. Spot on video!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    Nicely done mate. Back to back takes some earning. Green?

  • @NeilStyles
    @NeilStyles13 күн бұрын

    So great to meet you Kieran, keep those speedy feet moving!!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Great to meet you, too. Let's keep on plodding!

  • @freddiegee308
    @freddiegee3087 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran, sorry didn’t get to see you out there. Just finished my first and what a brutal run it was. Will definitely try and get my B2B next year if I can

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    7 күн бұрын

    Congrats on your first. And go get that B2B!

  • @user-ql2gi1hv2s
    @user-ql2gi1hv2s13 күн бұрын

    Absolute legend! Well done. So tempted...

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Do it! You won’t regret it.

  • @georgedarden4742
    @georgedarden474213 күн бұрын

    Enjoyed your reflections. I ran it for the first time on Sunday, and I watched your videos from last year when I was preparing. (Thanks!) I was still pretty wrecked on Tuesday; there was no way I could have run!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Congrats on your first. And hope the recovery is going well. Will you go for back to back?

  • @georgedarden4742

    @georgedarden4742

    12 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles Thanks! I'm not ready to consider next year just yet. 🙂 Sunday really, really hurt me, and the downhills in the back half were particularly painful. So . . . I don't know if I'm ready for a down run. The 100th running in three years will likely be a down run, and that might be a better choice for me even though it means not getting the back-to-back.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    @@georgedarden4742 Fair enough. Taking some time is the smart move.

  • @maryromendez6850
    @maryromendez685012 күн бұрын

    Nailed it! Share all your feelings. So happy you decided to go back to your back to back, I know first had training in London for comrades adds another level to the challenge! It blows my mind the people that have done, 10, 20, 30 consecutive comrades and love how the bibs say the number you have done

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    11 күн бұрын

    I’m so happy too. Wasn’t always sure I’d come back but so glad I did.

  • @mrdsbaker
    @mrdsbaker13 күн бұрын

    Massive Congrats to you Kieran - I also got my back to back with a 10h14 and am so happy, what an amazing day and race, everything you said is 100% how it is and even for us locals from South Africa its such a special day and something that changes your life and teaches you how strong you really are mentally and emotionally more so than physically! See you again once of these years - Cheers mate

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    that's amazing. Congrats on the back to back and that's a cracking time. Race definitely teaches you a lot. I think it also shows you what happens when people open up to each other. There's something wonderful about how friendly most people are around this race. No judgements, no status, just support.

  • @TimGrose
    @TimGrose13 күн бұрын

    Well done. Good to hear that you had a good one. Impressed can even run 2 days on!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks Tim. It was more of a shuffle along the beach front 😂

  • @simonchittenden9769
    @simonchittenden976910 күн бұрын

    We loved having you here!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    Thanks mate.

  • @ozenfant_ozn
    @ozenfant_ozn13 күн бұрын

    great stuff Kieran! :)

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Thanks very much.

  • @oabiletsiane8990
    @oabiletsiane899013 күн бұрын

    It was great meeting you man…I’m the guy in the black posing at that made up finish line 🙌🏾🙌🏾

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Was fab to meet you at the expo. Hope you had a good run.

  • @arabangraditapole9402
    @arabangraditapole940213 күн бұрын

    Welldone to everyone that ran.You are champs.I got my back to back @11:36

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Congrats on the back to back champ! I would have seen you run in as I was watching the finish.

  • @mokgadimmolai3685
    @mokgadimmolai368513 күн бұрын

    Awesome 🙌🏽 thank you the video 🎉

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Hope you enjoyed it.

  • @igoryan1111
    @igoryan111110 күн бұрын

    Nice video and great race. I did it as well and got a Robert Mtshali medal.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    Congrats on the Robert, that's a great run.

  • @n.y.8604
    @n.y.860413 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran🎉 It was awesome to see you back and proud of you doing so well once again.Thanks for sharing some highlights 😀 Comrades is definitely not an ordinary race, it's brutal😂but yet so awesome 🎉

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    thanks very much. it really is a special place to come and run. Think I'm hooked now.

  • @n.y.8604

    @n.y.8604

    12 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles fantastic 👏😀see you next year lol 😀

  • @kieronturner2667
    @kieronturner266713 күн бұрын

    Absolutely awesome Kieran 👏👏 well done. What an experience 😁👍

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks Kieron. It's such a wonderful event.

  • @show2358
    @show235813 күн бұрын

    Well done & congrats🎉 thanks for sharing!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks very much.

  • @skobodabaws8946
    @skobodabaws894613 күн бұрын

    those hills were nice champ , we ate em 😅it was a brutal fun

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    They were nice! 😂tasty

  • @kobuskunz4478
    @kobuskunz447813 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran and especially doing your back-to-back! I was cut off on top of Pollys. Currently recovering in hospital with Rhabdomyolisis. Such an epic event though and so much greater than the sum of it's parts.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    All I read there is that you made it all the way and topped Pollys which in my book makes you a legend regardless. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Look after yourself.

  • @raymondsamms3725
    @raymondsamms372513 күн бұрын

    i'll be doing my 1st Comrades next year.....just awaiting confirmation on date and route...can't wait!!!! and i will be using Marathon Tours

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Fantastic. You're going to love it. The MT team take such good care of you and let you just focus on the race, not the logistics. I might see you there!

  • @raymondsamms3725

    @raymondsamms3725

    12 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles btw...did you hear any talk of the course next year being down, or that's still to be decided/announced?

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    @@raymondsamms3725 I've not heard anything to be honest. Presumed it would be.

  • @golrush007
    @golrush00713 күн бұрын

    Great summary of the experience. The best part of the Up vs the Down run for me so far is that the recovery is a heck of a lot easier after the Up run! Safe travels back home Kieran 👍

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks. For me, my legs hurt but just different bits 😂

  • @arabangraditapole9402

    @arabangraditapole9402

    13 күн бұрын

    Agree 💯

  • @greertops
    @greertops13 күн бұрын

    Amazing effort Kieran, congratulations

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks very much. Had a cracking experience out there.

  • @justinknoetzke5380
    @justinknoetzke538013 күн бұрын

    Congrats Kieran ! Great recap.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks Justin. Will have a proper race vid up at some point but wanted to share a few quick thoughts.

  • @justinknoetzke5380

    @justinknoetzke5380

    13 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles Safe travels home.

  • @oarabilechingapane786
    @oarabilechingapane78613 күн бұрын

    Was great meeting you Kieran: Weldone and congratulations on your back2back💪💪

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Great to meet you as well mate.

  • @willem-janageling3907
    @willem-janageling390713 күн бұрын

    Congratulations Kieran! Inspiring!!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks Willem.

  • @JimboFarns
    @JimboFarns13 күн бұрын

    Congrats!!! I saw you a few times on the route! You ended 2min behind me! So close!! Well done!!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Congrats to you too. I took a few moments towards the end to reset otherwise we'd likely have been on that straight together.

  • @leboganggaaje1087
    @leboganggaaje108713 күн бұрын

    Hey man I missed you at the race but glad you enjoyed it again and got your back-to-back medal. I ran my back-to-back also and the up run is not a joke I can tell you that for free. Congratulation!!!!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Ah sorry not to catch you. But huge congrats on the Back to Back. We had to work for it!

  • @vincewarne228
    @vincewarne22813 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Thanks Vince

  • @zbigipowi616
    @zbigipowi61610 күн бұрын

    Super Kieran, war schön dich kennenlernen😊

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    Likewise!

  • @kelvingstrachan
    @kelvingstrachan13 күн бұрын

    Hi Kieran. I was the guy at Phezulu that you asked what hill that was. It was just before half way. I saw your video of 2023 on Saturday. 23 was my last Comrades. I have done 1 up, and 1 down. Well done. 👏🏼

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Oh brilliant, I'm still chuckling about the short convo we had. "What hills is this?" "This isn't a hill!" Made me laugh a lot. Do you think you'll do another?

  • @marthankoane8444
    @marthankoane84448 күн бұрын

    It was my first comrade marathon and done it in 11:54.I want to go again next year.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    8 күн бұрын

    Congrats. That's amazing running. Maybe see you on the Down!

  • @marthankoane8444

    @marthankoane8444

    8 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles Yes, O hope so.

  • @Panos_79
    @Panos_7913 күн бұрын

    Thanks for sharing this Kieran, you're such an inspiration. Is that the god Hermes on the medal?

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it. It is Hermes, well spotted.

  • @aslam7952
    @aslam795210 күн бұрын

    Personally, I would say both are equally brutal. I was 20 minutes quicker on the up, but that is most likely because I trained more. What is better on the up is the recovery. Way quicker. It could be because this is my second time, but most green numbers prefer the up for the quicker recovery as well.

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    Definitely less damage to the quads. Congrats on running 20 mins quicker as well mate. Greaat running.

  • @marioadams1516
    @marioadams151611 күн бұрын

    Ill be attempting my 1st Comrades next year💪💪💪💪💪

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    9 күн бұрын

    You're going to love it.

  • @marioadams1516

    @marioadams1516

    9 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles 💪💪💪💪

  • @franky3398
    @franky339812 күн бұрын

    Brillant. Could not say it better. Each word so true! Expresses all my feelings and experiences. Back for my 10th in 2025❤ Frank 51887

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    I have so much respect for anyone who goes for 10 of these. Good luck for next year.

  • @thabangmotaung4759
    @thabangmotaung475912 күн бұрын

    This year I got my PB ran a very good race , however during the race I made a decision that I am not coming back to this pain again , now I can’t wait to run it again next year 😂😂😂😂

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Ha ha, congrats on the PB. And love that a No Way turns into Sign Me Up so quickly.

  • @Lindtdelaport81
    @Lindtdelaport8112 күн бұрын

    Congratulations Kieran! Back to back Billies on your first two attempts are an amazing achievement! I am late to your personal channel, but enjoyed your videos leading up to Comrades. On the shoes, I went with the Asics Meta Speed Paris, I prefer them for the Up. Lighter, good climber and great for keeping a consistent cadence/ pace. For the Down I prefer the Alphafly’s, more easy speed for the last 30 odd km’s. I by far prefer the Down Run, but taking a poll after Sunday’s run it seems that about 80/90% of the people I spoke to also prefer the Up. Keep up the great content!

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Thanks very much. I'm really happy with my two Billies. Glad the Metaspeed Paris worked for you. They're great shoes. Bit too aggressive for me for this race perhaps but I can see why you'd choose them. You going back next year?

  • @Lindtdelaport81

    @Lindtdelaport81

    12 күн бұрын

    Definitely! I am on 7 and so my 10th would coincide with the 100th Comrades, but then I am probably done. I was lucky enough to confirm my Silver this year (had a down silver in 2022) and would like to have a go at a sub 7. For me it would have to be on a down and as I am fighting physiology (6.1 and both Silvers at 90 kg’s) there is a definite limit to what I can run. But I can at least try! I hope you return next year, you might be surprised what you can do on your next Down 👊🏼

  • @pauldbeer
    @pauldbeer13 күн бұрын

    You welcome mate! Get that Green number....

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    ha ha, not sure my bank manager will allow it.

  • @pauldbeer

    @pauldbeer

    12 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles 🤑

  • @arongoode1372
    @arongoode137213 күн бұрын

    Well done Kieran, inspiring stuff! I'm running the New Forest Marathon in September; any advice or recommendations regarding shoe choice? I ran my last (first) marathon in Alphafly 1s but I'm worried the new forest paths will chew up the foam and/or be too uneven?

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    thanks mate. I've seen people run the New Forest in Alphas but I personally wouldn't. There's good sections of road, lots of groomed, compacted paths but bits of off-road too, grass etc. If it's wet that also might make it less Alpha friendly. The route can take a road shoe if it's dry though. A perfect shoe for this would be the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra but those are pricey. A HOKA Speedgoat would work, too. The Altra Mont Blanc Carbon are a possible.

  • @arongoode1372

    @arongoode1372

    13 күн бұрын

    @@Manvmiles Cheers mate, I appreciate the help!

  • @tono1665
    @tono166512 күн бұрын

    Looking out for registration to open for 2025. Want to do it sooner rather than later. Got a few ultras under my belt

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Love it. Strike early 💪👍

  • @joewillburn
    @joewillburn13 күн бұрын

    When is the race video coming?

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    13 күн бұрын

    It'll be along in the next week or so!

  • @joewillburn

    @joewillburn

    13 күн бұрын

    @Manvmiles awesome! So glad you came back.

  • @nwabisabeba1678
    @nwabisabeba167813 күн бұрын

    Got my back to back, I prefer down run. Weird I got a PB on the Up 😂

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    12 күн бұрын

    Congrats on the back to back and the PB. Sounds like there's a faster time coming on your next Down! 😉

  • @mrdsbaker
    @mrdsbaker13 күн бұрын

    does anyone know if Ben Parkes ran?

  • @jameswebster5672

    @jameswebster5672

    13 күн бұрын

    He didn't. He got a hamstring injury two weeks before the race in the gym.

  • @mrdsbaker

    @mrdsbaker

    12 күн бұрын

    @@jameswebster5672 shame he hadn’t had luck with comrades last year and now this year.

  • @bettinapoulos7891
    @bettinapoulos789112 күн бұрын

    🥹👏🏻

  • @Manvmiles

    @Manvmiles

    11 күн бұрын

    Thanks

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