I enjoy it so much, but I do suffer, but I enjoy the suffering. Well I don’t know if that’s a good thing. But I feel so good about myself because I feel stronger, and I feel more tolerant, and more calm, and more peaceful because when I finish my run, I always feel that, yes, I am a better person.”
– Anjali Saraogi
In this episode, Anjali Saraogi, who lives in Kolkata, India, shares her first-timer experience of running Comrades, and why this race is so special to her. Anjali came to running in her 40s, and has become one of India’s best ultra-distance racers.
But Anjali had no idea about her long-distance talents when she entered to run the 2017 Comrades; at the time when she registered, she’d never even run a marathon.
This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.
Within each episode, along with hearing one runner’s story, you’ll learn about an aspect of Comrades: the beloved startline traditions are featured in this episode.
The recommended resource for this episode is the Fast Women newsletter, which comprehensively covers highlights of women’s competitive distance running, with a heavy US focus; and in this context, distance means longer track events, all the way through to the marathon, with a dose of some of the top news in ultra racing. This newsletter is thoughtful, smart, fair, and insightful, and is itself packed with resources. Every single week. There’s also a Fast Women Facebook group where you’ll find a great community of runners.
Dare to Run by Amit Sheth
Audio credits
Additional audio for this episode comes from SABC Sport 2017 live race coverage, as well as online video footage of the startline cock’s crow and Shosholoza.