Comrades by Poppy Simpson and Dagmar Tatarczyk

90km is the distance that separates the South African towns of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The ‘Comrades Double Marathon’ is the oldest and largest of its kind in the world, now run by more than 12 000 athletes every year.

Poppy Simpson and Dagmar Tatarczyk have put together an astonishing impression of South Africa’s post-Apartheid identity, through portraits and interviews of the most dedicated runners.

There’s Johnny, 18 Comrades on the counter, and blind. Then Moses, who’s 90 minutes faster than Johnny but chose to guide him to the finish line. Andrew, winner of 9 gold medals and one first place, modestly tells about the phone call he got from Nelson Mandela when he became the first black South-African to win the race after the end of racial segregation.

The personalities of these individuals are tied to the marathon, just like the country’s history. Footage from the past shows black runners competing unofficially, or wearing degrading signs. Bruce Fordyce wore a black armband for the republic’s 20th anniversary to protest against the segregation policy, and won.

When being asked why late runners get as much applause as the winner, another former winner says “You are now witnessing the spirit of the Comrades”. A beautiful lesson in respect and humanity.

Maximilien Van Aertryck