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Quiz about Running the Comrades Marathon

Running the Comrades Marathon Trivia Quiz

So you have decided to run what many consider to be the greatest ultra marathon in the world. Before you go run the race though, it is useful to know something more about it.

A multiple-choice quiz by Peter422. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Peter422

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
314,901

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
167

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. You will be amoungst kindred spirits whilst running the Comrades Marathon. How many of these kindred spirits/runners run the Comrades each year? Hint

Approximately 30,000

Less than 100

10,000-15,000

Approximately 1000

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Question 2 of 10

2. Training is vital. Before you run the Comrades Marathon, you need to know how far you will have to run on the day. Approximately, how far is this race? Hint

90 km (56 miles)

50 km (31 miles)

42.2 km (26 miles)

160 km (100 miles)

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Question 3 of 10

3. In order to qualify for the Comrades Marathon, you need to run a standard marathon. What time do you need to complete the race in, in order to qualify for the Comrades Marathon? Hint

3 hours

5 hours

7 hours

9 hours

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Question 4 of 10

4. The Comrades Marathon is run in South Africa, but between which two South African cities is the Comrades run? Hint

Durban and Pietermaritzburg

Cape Town and Johannesburg

Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein

Johannesburg and Pretoria

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Question 5 of 10

5. How did the name Comrades Marathon arise? Hint

Russian sponsorship of the original race

The war veterans of World War I

The comrades that fought the Apartheid regime

The origin is lost in the mists of time

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Question 6 of 10

6. How much time have you got to run this complete the Comrades Marathon before the dreaded cut-off gun? Hint

10 Hours

There is no time limit

24 Hours

12 Hours

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Question 7 of 10

7. Whilst running the Comrades Marathon, you will be traversing five major hills. Which is not one of them? Hint

Polly Shortts

Umlaas Road

Inchanga

Cowies

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the 1980s, one man dominated the Comrades Marathon and made it his own. Who is the Comrades king? Hint

Arthur Newton

Wally Hayward

Alan Robb

Bruce Fordyce

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Question 9 of 10

9. Your first Comrades Marathon race was in 2010. You were thus running which anniversary of the race? Hint

52nd

10th

85th

21st

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Question 10 of 10

10. Whilst in South Africa, you find that everyone is talking about the race. Why the obsession? Hint

Completing the race is a sure sign of madness

Very few people actually finish the race

Only famous runners are allowed to run the race

The whole 12 hours is shown live on national television

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. You will be amoungst kindred spirits whilst running the Comrades Marathon. How many of these kindred spirits/runners run the Comrades each year?

Answer: 10,000-15,000

The start of the race rivals the start of any of the big city marathons around the world. There is a lot of pent up nervous energy flowing through the ranks. When the gun goes, there is a surge of human mass flowing forward. Throughout the day you will be surrounded by fellow runners supporting you and enjoying the moment with you. With so many runners on the road, there is no need to fear the loneliness of the long distance runner.

2. Training is vital. Before you run the Comrades Marathon, you need to know how far you will have to run on the day. Approximately, how far is this race?

Answer: 90 km (56 miles)

In South Africa, a runner is measured by whether he or she has run "The Comrades". Doing a standard marathon in this country means very little in the eyes of the general public since it is seen only as a stepping stone to running Comrades. So, prepare yourself for completing "two marathons and more" to gain the title of "a runner" in South Africa.

3. In order to qualify for the Comrades Marathon, you need to run a standard marathon. What time do you need to complete the race in, in order to qualify for the Comrades Marathon?

Answer: 5 hours

The whole South African running calendar is geared towards this event. For this reason, most South African marathons (and there are plenty to choose from) have a five hour cut-off.

4. The Comrades Marathon is run in South Africa, but between which two South African cities is the Comrades run?

Answer: Durban and Pietermaritzburg

The "up run" starts in Durban and ends in Pietermaritzburg, whilst the "down run" is run in the opposite direction. But don't let the names fool you. Both runs have plenty of hills to navigate.

5. How did the name Comrades Marathon arise?

Answer: The war veterans of World War I

Vic Clapham wanted to commemorate the pain, agonies, death, and hardships of his comrades which he witnessed during those awful days of World War I. He thus arranged the running of the first Comrades Marathon on 24 May 1921.

6. How much time have you got to run this complete the Comrades Marathon before the dreaded cut-off gun?

Answer: 12 Hours

The cut-off was 11 hours for many years, but mercifully it was extended to 12 hours in 2000.

7. Whilst running the Comrades Marathon, you will be traversing five major hills. Which is not one of them?

Answer: Umlaas Road

The other two hills are Fields Hill and Botha's Hill.

8. In the 1980s, one man dominated the Comrades Marathon and made it his own. Who is the Comrades king?

Answer: Bruce Fordyce

Bruce won the race an incredible nine times. The other men mentioned all won the race five times.

9. Your first Comrades Marathon race was in 2010. You were thus running which anniversary of the race?

Answer: 85th

Since 1921, only World War II has prevented this race from being run every year.

10. Whilst in South Africa, you find that everyone is talking about the race. Why the obsession?

Answer: The whole 12 hours is shown live on national television

This is a race for the masses with approximately 90% of people who start the race finishing it. Every sphere of society is represented in the race. South Africans, in general, respect the dedication involved in completing this grueling event. The real reason for the obsession for the race is that spending 12 hours in front of the television on "Comrades Day" has become a national pastime.

In addition to this, thousands line the route of the race. I doubt whether there is a South African in the country that does not know at least something about this event.

Source: Author Peter422

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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