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Monday, June 03, 2013

I did it!

What a journey. What an accomplishment. What a day! 

These sentences keep coming back to me in my head. I am over the moon now that this day is over. 

It was single-handedly the hardest thing I have ever done. It was hot (temperature measured 39 degrees Celsius/ 102 degrees Fahrenheit) at times along the route. The wind was a 25-35 km/h head wind at times (just as the weatherman predicted) and the route was just as uphill and exhausting as feared. 

People bailed like you wouldn't believe. Going down in mass, giving in to the heat. Suffering from exhaustion and dehydration. A doctor working the route told us that he had never witnessed, in his 29 years of working the event, this many people visiting the medic tents and seeking medical attention. 

25% of the entrants who started the race this year did not finish. Wow! That's over four thousand people.

But I powered through, I accomplished my goal in 11 Hours, 18 minutes. Here are a few pics and videos of the day. I will post more when I can. 

Thank you for your support through this journey. What an amazing experience it has been. 



At the Comrades Marathon House the day before the race.


At the starting line at 5:30 am

Crowds at the finish line

Rounding the finish lane

So close

I did it!
Derek Van Dam

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations Derek! It's been an honor to serve alongside of you all these years. To see you accomplish such an amazing feat makes us proud as can be. As our friend and co-worker in Christ, you have been an inspiration. Our hearts and prayers continue to go with you. Thanks for being such a great example to those around you. And thank you for choosing to support and serve the beautiful children and families of Swaziland! With gratitude, your friends of the Compassionate Life Board of Directors.

    Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth its fruit in its season. Psalm 1:1a-3

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  2. Anonymous7:43 AM

    Viva Derek Viva! So proud of you - it has been such fun watching your running achievements over the last few months. You are amazing!

    India

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