Wade Gounden's emotional redemption at the Comrades Marathon
"A daunting race from start to finish."
Wade Gounden holding his medal with his friend Keshav Maharajh, who introduced him to running.
Image: Supplied
Last year, Wade Gounden did not complete the Comrades Marathon but this year, the 25-year-old returned to redeem himself. He earned a Vic Clapham medal, having completed the race in 11 hours and 55 minutes. The Vic Clapham medal goes to those athletes who finish the race between 11 and 12 hours.
Following the race, Gounden went directly to Hare Krishna temple in Chatsworth to give thanks.
“I usually visit the Lord on Sundays. Unless I’m racing, I go for the 7pm aarti (prayer) after I'm done with a race. My friend Keshav, who introduced me to running some years ago, managed to get me to the temple in time to say thanks to Krishna, who handled every aspect of this race for me. He helped me with my entry to my shoes to my accommodation and support. All he left me with was the fun stuff, like training," said Gounden.
“I was just happy I got to take something back to Lord Krishna - my medal - to give thanks. There were a few times towards the end of the race where it felt like my body was moving for me."
Speaking about the race, he said: “There’s always the daunting mileage that’s always ahead of you. I also had to fight off a new level of pain for a longer period compared to previous races. It was the first time I had competed from darkness to darkness with starting early in the morning and finishing in the evening. It was the longest time on the move I’ve ever done.
“Almost everything brought an experience. The Comrades Marathon is an iconic worldwide event. The startline, the people both racing and cheering, the amount of work I put into training, and finally having the opportunity to reap my fruit. The scenery, the amount of love and support I got from so many people was insane. It was like an experience out of a movie. It was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life."
He said finishing the Comrades Marathon brought on a mix of emotions, happiness, pain and passion.
“There were a few moments when I did not think I would finish. It was a daunting race from start to finish but you just move with faith rather than fear and don’t stop no matter what negative thoughts fill your mind.”
Gouden said everyone was proud of his achievement.
“Everyone is super proud of me. I’m over the moon about completing the Comrades. I feel I can only claim redemption once I’ve beaten the up-run, which was what beat me before.”
He said hours of training helped him reach victory.
“I did a lot of extra mileage and also introduced more speed sessions. Lord Krishna himself put me on a race weekend training plan of dry fasting for at least 12 hours before the race. It helped detox and clear my system as well as prepare my mind.”
Gounden said no one should give up on completing the Comrades Marathon.
“The only time the Comrades will beat you is when you stop trying. It’s not called the 'ultimate human race' for nothing. Qualifying and making it to the start is an accomplishment on its own. If it were easy then everyone would do it,” said Gounden.