Arthur Newton
Winner of the second Comrades race in 1922 Arthur Newton commented after his win:
“It isn’t my fault I won. If Phillips and Rowan hadn’t cut out at such a terrific pace at the start they would both have finished in front of me, because they are both better runners.”
Isn’t that a great attitude from a winner? While we don’t find that any more, it still interests me how many runners still start out fast, faster than they can sustain over the distance.
I like to learn from those who put their butts on the line well, and believe in and do consistent sustainable effort throughout the run, Arthur Newton’s lore.
I also sometimes think,”It’s not my fault I can train for and run Comrades,” just to follow Arthur’s Lore, more.
The writer of the stories thought it was worth noting that
Arthur had not stopped running “for more than a minute and never sat or lay down during the race.”
Makes me wonder what the other runners did. Not something not seen much any more. Well, not the lying down anyway.
(Source as always with admiration: The Comrades Story, 2nd edition, 1976, Morris Alexander, Juta)