We've been on a break and we have a few updates to share, including the fact that we'll be back with new episodes in January to close out our Boston 2021 series. And we've got great new stories coming in 2022. In the interim, please enjoy this episode from our very first series, which focuses on experiences at the world's oldest and largest ultradistance race, the Comrades Marathon. The title of the episode is "Camille Herron + Comrades Marathon: Dream Race." 

Camille Herron fell in love with South Africa’s 90-kilometer Comrades Marathon as a child in Oklahoma, and it became her number one goal to win this epic race.

Camille is one of the world’s top ultra-distance racers with a particular talent for events on the road. She has won several world and national ultra-distance titles and has set world and national records. Camille also holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for fastest marathon in a superhero costume: she was dressed as Spiderwoman. 

Also in this episode, you learn about the finish line traditions and the medals runners earn at Comrades, a language of accomplishments all its own. This episode is part of our first season, about experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, a 90-km, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world. 

This episode’s recommended resource is the Keeping Track podcast. It’s cohosted by former and current professional runners Alysia Montaño, Roisin McGettigan, and Molly Huddle, and the trio discuss issues around women in sport with other notable female athletes or experts in the field. Their conversations are personal and powerful, and they get into tough issues that deserve more attention like racial and gender discrimination and inequality and drug use, that is, cheating. All of the episodes are really good listens, and in particular the interview with two-time Olympic medalist Dawn Harper Nelson is particularly memorable. 

Ways to Keep Up with Camille Herron

Camille Herron’s website: http://www.camilleherron.com

Camille on Twitter: @runcamille

Camille on Instagram: @runcamille

Book mentioned in this episode: Lore of Running by Tim Noakes

Additional audio for this episode comes from SABC Sport 2017 live race coverage, and from an SABC post-race interview. 

Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories

Instagram: @womensrunningstories

Twitter: @WomenRunStories

Website: womensrunningstories.com

Email host Cherie: [email protected]

Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

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