Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon is the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon, going strong since 1921 when it was founded by a WWI veteran to honor fallen soldiers. It alternates annually between the "up" run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and the "down" run back, with each version offering its own set of challenges including the notorious "Big Five" hills like Polly Shortts. Runners face a tough elevation profile, gaining over 1,800 meters on the "up" run, while the "down" run provides a net descent to near sea level, all along diverse terrain from coastal roads to inland stretches.