Winners and Lovers on the Run – The Comrades Marathon 2014

The Comrades is always something I have loved shooting, the all round vibe is amazing to be a part of. This year I was again following lead men from the back of a bike as a part of the MMPhoto team – you cant have a better seat than that to witness what unfolds!

Earlier in the week Ludwick Mamabolo (Nedbank RC) from Gauteng had been very confident in possibly taking a win, but it turned out he came in second and Bongumusa Mthembu (Nedbank RC) from KZN took first place.

It’s awesome to see up close how these guys fight the entire way, with the top ten constantly changing throughout the race.

One thing that I unfortunately noticed this year was the lack of support on the roads…What happened to the days where the streets were lined all the way from Maritzburg to Durban?  Really sad to see less people supporting this unbelievable race. Make a day of it, have a braai, bring the family – these runners need the push!

Imagine if you were running the 89 km and had no one to shout an encouraging line or simply make some noise? The runners really rely on the energy and that extra push to get them through the day.

Next year will be the 90th Comrades – come and support!!

This year I witnessed and photographed a couple getting engaged on the finish line, that’s how much the Comrades means to them.

It was so cool how the guy – eNCA weather man Derek van Dam – waited for his girlfriend, Tara Hossack, to cross the line before popping the question in front of everyone. It was such a special moment!

I thrive off this kind of work. I love the pressure…the extreme cold and the all round vibe of the Comrades Marathon. See you all next year!

Finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind, a state of mind that says anything is possible…

To see more photos please visit Kierran Allen’s original post here.